In the Emperor's palace, where he tended to his flowers as usual, a sudden, devouring fire ignited in the middle of his garden. The fire spread menacingly but burned nothing it enveloped.

"An interesting appearance, demon!" the Emperor remarked.

"I bring you bad news and worse news," a terrifying voice echoed from within the fire. "Which would you like to hear first, your majesty?"

"Who do you think you are, demon? I know what you want to tell me, and remember, I am your master, so watch your tone!" the Emperor retorted.

"You were never my master, merely someone who discovered our secret and managed to control us for a long period. That time has passed. Now it's our time, and we are coming to claim our reward: the realm of humans."

"And what will you do with it? You, a Demon of Death, can never step foot on this realm. Not without my help..."

"What are you proposing? Helping you now, when Laryus is trying to revive long-forgotten forces?"

"Exactly what I wanted to discuss. I have no power in the Realm of Death, but you are invincible there. If Laryus attempts what I suspect, you can ensure they never leave your domains again."

"And if I help you? What's in it for me?"

"I will break the spell of the portal that forbids you from stepping into the human world. You can have a few kingdoms and many slaves after the war ends."

"Make me understand your angle in this slaughter. We, demons, seek to conquer a new world. But you, Emperor?"

"I am merely completing what my father began a long time ago."

The demonic fire vanished into the mist, leaving the Emperor to his flowers. He was aware that Laryus, Marcus, and Edgar could overturn his plans if he wasn't careful.

While the Emperor was lost in thought, Laryus, Valleria, Tenzim, and Turalon ventured into the Slumbering Forest. Led by Laryus, they reached a small cabin, carefully hidden among the trees. Inside, on a dusty table, lay a small chest. Opening it, Laryus pulled out a gleaming, serpentine-bladed dagger with a dual edge. Its gold handle was adorned with three rubies, making the dagger a true jewel.

"At this moment, the Circle of the Sun will be revived. What is about to happen is extremely dangerous. Therefore, Valleria, you will not partake in this ritual, considering your pregnancy," Laryus said.

"How dangerous exactly?" asked Tenzim, stepping back slightly. "I hope this ritual doesn’t involve blood; I don’t want to get a cut on my little finger or anything like that. I might get an infection from that dagger. Who knows how long it's been lying around here, gathering dust..."

Laryus smiled faintly, then his expression turned grave. He asked Valleria to wait outside. Alone with the two brothers, Laryus explained there were only two ways to be admitted into the Circle of the Sun: a long way and a short one.

"We don’t have time to take the long way," Turalon said, aware they were pressed for time.

"I thought as much," Laryus replied, pointing two fingers at them.

Suddenly, the two brothers were enveloped in an extraordinary sensation of body relaxation. However, they were disturbed by the fact that they couldn’t move; they felt as if they had been turned into statues. Laryus approached Turalon with small steps, gripping the dagger tightly. He apologized for what he was about to do, then the old mage plunged the dagger into Turalon’s heart, dropping him lifelessly to the ground.

"You crazy old man!" Tenzim screamed at the top of his lungs. "I’ll kill you, you psychopath!"

Tenzim struggled against Laryus' spell, but to no avail, as the same dagger also dropped him lifelessly to the ground. Laryus then stepped outside, where the beautiful Valleria was waiting.

"I suppose they chose the short way, right?"

"You knew what was going to happen, didn’t you?" Valleria, your visions are starting to worry me. They’ve become too powerful, too quickly. Yes, the two chose the short way. They will receive instructions as soon as they reach the other side."

Hundreds of kilometers away, in Marcus's cave, Edgar and the dwarf mage made final preparations for creating a new weapon, inspired by the book "The Craft of Swords". Using a silver-colored powder from a black pouch, Marcus began drawing a six-pointed pentagram inside a circle on the ground. At each point of the pentagram, a red candle was lit, and then he carefully placed the three Sun Diamonds inside the circle. At Marcus's urging, Edgar took the Phoenix sword and placed it inside the circle, its tip pointing east.

After opening the gold-lettered book to the desired page, Marcus began to pronounce words in the ancient language of mages in an aggressive tone, as if invoking long-dead spirits:

"Naum ilirem atum cor'dien tvoc, mayav el enterun!"

Knowing a little of the ancient language of mages, Edgar realized that Marcus was indeed invoking spirits, something not allowed to every mage. These weren’t just any spirits, but the spirits of the most powerful mages in human history. The entire room lit up brightly, and six shadows appeared. They had the form of people whose faces could not be distinguished. Each spirit took a place at a point of the pentagram drawn by Marcus.

Suddenly, the room was invaded by multiple voices echoing as if from afar. Each voice uttered a different incantation in a different language, aiding Marcus in gathering the necessary power to combine the diamonds into a single entity.

While Marcus was busy with his ritual, at the foothills of the majestic Royal Mountains surrounding The Kingdom of the Sun, lay the ruins of an ancient fortress, now known as the Black Ruins. There, a knight dismounted his horse, making his way among the ruins.

It was the Soul Devourer, Damyen Argyle, leader of the Bringers of Death. Hidden among the ruins, he was greeted by seven other knights clad in black, their faces concealed by their helmets. At Damyen's appearance, they stood up, paying their respects to their leader. Below their feet lay a map marking the kingdoms of Tuzmad, Trian, and The Kingdom of the Sun - the true threats to their order.

"Look at them, the Bringers of Death, daring to provoke occult forces, ending up as servants to them," a voice said mockingly.

"My dear son, what a joy to see you again! It's been a while since you last killed me."

"Damyen, I hope you don't hold a grudge. What happened between us is in the past. However, I want you to know I'm terribly sorry for what I did. So sorry, in fact, that I'm going to kill myself," Edgar said with a wicked smile.

"You want to kill the real Edgar..."

"The real Edgar? You hurt my feelings. What am I, a hallucination?"

"We know well enough what you are, or how you came into being," Damyen smiled. "I can only wish you luck. I'd love to see how you'll kill the one holding the Sun Diamonds."

"You forget something very important. The Emperor has granted me access to the throne of time, which gives me the opportunity to easily get rid of your son."

During all this, Edgar, Marcus, and the Spirits continued their ceremony, Turalon and Tenzim lay breathless on the ground, the Emperor tended to his flowers, Damyen and the other Edgar were ready to cross swords, and Laryus tried to convince Valleria that in the end, everything would end well.

In a realm far removed from the known world, beyond the veil that separates the tangible from the ethereal, lay a domain shrouded in darkness and despair. Here, in this forsaken place, suffering was the only constant, governed by a demon of immense power who reveled in the torment of lost souls that unwittingly wandered into his dominion.

Perched ominously atop the foreboding expanse was the Mountain of Despair, a place where hope seemed to wither away. It was here that the two brothers, Tenzim and Turalon, found themselves in an uneasy slumber, their dreams devoid of the tranquility of the mortal world.

The first to emerge from this dreamless state was Tenzim. As consciousness crept back into his mind, a sharp, unbearable pain clutched his heart, a sensation so intense it bordered on madness. He rose to his feet, his eyes widening in horror and disbelief at the bleak landscape that surrounded him. The mountain beneath him was barren and rugged, endlessly exhaling plumes of grey steam, painting a picture of desolation.

Lying next to him, Turalon too stirred, his expression mirroring Tenzim's shock and confusion. As he sat up, he took in the stark, otherworldly surroundings, the realization of their predicament slowly dawning upon him. The two brothers stood side by side, gazing out over the desolate landscape, grappling with the reality of their situation in this grim and unforgiving realm.

In the realm of the Dead, a land trodden only by wandering souls departing the world of the living, the two brothers faced each other wordlessly before setting off. Before them stretched a makeshift bridge, crafted from planks and ropes, with a deep, fiery abyss below.

"You first, I don’t want to die again," Tenzim quipped.

They crossed the bridge cautiously but without fear. They couldn’t imagine what it would be like to die a second time. Unknown to them, Laryus had used a magical dagger that allowed mortals to briefly enter this realm. Created by a mighty wizard, the dagger was intended for exploring the realm of the dead without actual death. Its blade was not real but an illusion to trick the subconscious into believing death was imminent, thus sending the mind to the beyond.

Laryus kept this secret, knowing the illusion would shatter if they knew the blade's true nature.

Their path soon filled with the agonized screams of the damned, making them flinch with each step. Suddenly, a thick, ashen mist enveloped them, blinding them momentarily. When their vision cleared, they saw an old man in a grey robe, his long white hair cascading to his waist.

"My name is Anys, Laryus’s elder brother. I am the creator of the magical dagger Diadran, which brought you to this world."

"Great, thanks a lot," Tenzim grumbled bitterly. "Because of you and Laryus, we’re dead. Senile old fools."

"Watch your words, you insolent one! Diadran doesn’t kill, it merely allows travel between worlds. So, my brother expects you two to become knights of an ancient order?"

"The Circle of the Sun. You know of it?" Turalon inquired.

"Of course, I know it. I was among its founders. I once had the power to initiate new members, but no longer."

"What do you mean? Did we come here for nothing?" Tenzim asked irritably. "Then show us the door out. I’m not staying here another second. Can you imagine the nightmares I’ll have?"

"With all due respect, Mr. Anys, are you aware of what’s happening in our world?" Turalon asked. "Demons are assaulting the kingdoms with full force, and humanity will eventually succumb."

"Do you really think that just because I no longer dwell among the living, I'm oblivious to their affairs?" Anys challenged the brothers. "Believe me, humanity would have fared better had the Circle of the Sun never been established. With time, its members became blinded by power and greed. And for them, becoming a Death Bringer was but a mere step away."

"Do you presume we'll follow the same path as those former members who joined them?" the brothers inquired with a hint of defiance.

"I don't just presume; I'm certain," Anys replied, a tinge of sorrow in his voice. "Only a few can withstand such temptation."

In the shadow of impending war, the demon hordes, acting upon the Emperor's merciless command, rallied together for a formidable onslaught against Tuzmad, the crown jewel among the kingdoms of the land. At the heart of this realm stood King Sormain, a young ruler whose foresight had given him a precious window to marshal his forces in defense of his beloved kingdom.

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The impending clash loomed heavily upon the horizon, a dark cloud of inevitability. King Sormain, who had been meticulously groomed in the art of warfare by the most skilled and seasoned warriors of the realm, stood resolute and unwavering at the forefront of his assembled army. The weight of leadership rested on his shoulders, yet he bore it with a quiet, dignified strength. His eyes, usually a beacon of steadfast resolve, now shimmered with unshed tears, not born out of fear, but kindled by a deep and abiding concern for the well-being of his subjects.

This young king, in stark and poignant contrast to his predecessor, held a profound respect and care for the lives of his people, placing their safety and prosperity above his own life. As the demonic forces, vast and seemingly insurmountable in number, drew near, King Sormain prepared to lead his outnumbered army into battle. It was a fight they knew to be dauntingly unfair, yet they were bolstered by their king's courage and his unwavering commitment to their protection and the safeguarding of their realm.

In the resplendent Kingdom of the Sun, an ominous cloud of dread hovered as an overwhelming tide of demonic warriors surged forward, their intentions as dark as the shadow they cast upon the land. This was no mere skirmish, but the prelude to what was fated to be the most colossal battle ever witnessed in the annals of human history. The demonic legions, vast and ruthless, were driven by a singular, cataclysmic ambition: the utter annihilation of humankind.

As the demonic hordes advanced, relentless and unyielding, a palpable sense of despair gripped the heart of the kingdom. The defenders, brave and steadfast, faced a daunting reality. They were tragically unprepared for the sheer magnitude of the threat that now loomed before them, casting its ghastly shadow across the realm. The burning question that seared through the minds of soldiers and civilians alike was the mysterious, rapid convergence of this vast demon army. How had such a formidable and destructive force come together so swiftly, seemingly out of nowhere? This enigma added a chilling layer of fear and uncertainty to the already grave situation, as the kingdom braced itself for a confrontation that threatened its very existence and the future of all humanity.

After Edgar's departure from the Black Ruins, another Death Bringer appeared, informing Damyen of the Emperor's massive planned attack on Tuzmad and the Kingdom of the Sun. Enraged, Damyen reacted swiftly, his fist colliding with a rock in fury.

"Damyen, what do you propose we do?" asked another Death Bringer, wary of their leader's mood.

"I feel free for the first time," Damyen confessed. "The demonic voices in my head are gone, and the Emperor's influence has vanished. Since Cuer'Ilf's death, I feel capable of making my own decisions. Gather what troops we have under our command and aid the humans."

"All gods, Damyen! Your love for humans has always been your greatest weakness," the Death Bringer remarked cynically.

"The gods... If they had enough power, they would steal love from us mortals, to revel in such a divine thing themselves," Damyen mused. "Once, we too were humans, and somewhere in our souls, I believe we still are."

"And your plan?" the Death Bringer probed.

"To destroy the portal through which the Emperor brings his demons. Without it, the Emperor will lose a great deal of his power."

"It seems like a solid plan, but you won't succeed alone," cautioned a fellow Death Bringer.

"Leave that worry to me. Just gather your forces!" Damyen replied, mounting his horse and swiftly departing the Black Ruins for a location known only to him. He pondered his unexpected liberation, previously only knowing hatred and rage. Aware that this freedom wouldn't last as long as the Emperor lived, he hastened to thwart the Emperor's plans.

In the secluded depths of Marcus's cave, the culmination of their mystical endeavor reached a climactic moment. As Marcus chanted the final incantation with unwavering focus, an intense, radiant light erupted from the heart of the pentagram, engulfing the cave in a brilliant luminescence. The light was so overpowering that it temporarily robbed everyone of their sight, leaving them in a state of awe and disorientation.

As the dazzling glow gradually receded like the tide pulling away from the shore, an eerie calm settled over the cave. The once manifest spirits, along with the precious Sun Diamonds, had vanished, leaving no trace of their ethereal presence. In the center of the now silent pentagram, the Phoenix sword stood embedded in the stone floor, its blade emitting a glow reminiscent of the warm, golden rays of the sun.

Edgar cautiously approached the sword. With a steady hand, he grasped the hilt and felt an extraordinary surge of energy pulsating through him. As he drew the sword from its stony sheath, a rush of blood surged through his veins, his heart thundered like a drum in his chest, and his senses sharpened to an unprecedented degree. The world around him seemed to come into greater focus, sounds amplified, and the minute buzz of a fly echoed in his ears. This transformation left Edgar awestruck and bewildered, unable to comprehend the newfound power that now flowed through him.

Marcus looked on with pride. Before him stood the heir of Xal'Nagus, now imbued with the great wizard's powers, thanks to the Phoenix sword, reforged with the Sun Diamonds.

Edgar smiled, his mind filled with ancient knowledge. He was transformed, no longer the boy raised in the mountains, the young knight, the hero. He was part of something grander. The diamonds had awakened dormant powers within him, keys unlocking the lineage of his ancestors. Smiling at Marcus, he vanished in a radiant light.

On the Realm of Death, Tenzim and Turalon finally convinced Anys of their noble intentions and lifelong dedication to the Circle of the Sun.

"Your will makes you worthy of the order, but the true reason I contacted Laryus for capable men is different," Anys revealed. "A kilometer away, on that hill, you will invoke and challenge the Demon of Death."

"Always a catch. Kill the Demon of Death? How can anyone kill Death itself?" Tenzim exclaimed. "How can we possibly succeed?"

"The path to success lies in self-esteem and faith. The belief that you can. That you deserve. That you will succeed."

"Nice words, but our necks are on the line," Tenzim remarked with a hint of sarcasm.

"You might not realize, but the Emperor has weakened. His power has been drained by the demonic army that passed through his portal. Killing this demon would be another blow, as it's the last commander of the legion brought to your world," Anys explained.

Tenzim and Turalon realized they had no choice but to face the most powerful being they'd ever encountered, with slim chances of victory.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of the Sun found itself in the throes of a devastating siege, its once unbreachable walls now trembling under the relentless onslaught of the demonic forces. Simultaneously, the grand kingdom of Tuzmad teetered on the precipice of invasion, its defenses strained to the breaking point by the Emperor's relentless demonic legions. The battlefield was a scene of chaos and despair, as the combined might of the two kingdoms' armies was being methodically dismantled. Even the valiant efforts of the small but fierce contingent led by the enigmatic Death Bringers were proving to be insufficient against the overwhelming demonic tide.

In these dire moments, King Sormain, with a heavy heart and a burdened soul, issued the command for his people to retreat, to save what remained of their lives and hopes. It was a decision that weighed heavily on him, a clear indicator of the grave situation they faced. However, just as the shadows of defeat began to engulf the battlefield, a sudden, brilliant light pierced the gloom, halting the advance of darkness. From this radiant beacon emerged a figure of hope and renewed vigor - a young knight, his grip unwavering on the hilt of the legendary Phoenix sword.

"Edgar! Poor timing and wrong location to use a magic stone," Sormain remarked.

Without a word, Edgar charged towards the demon army, brandishing the Phoenix sword that gleamed in the sun's rays. A deafening thunderclap filled the sky, and massive fireballs rained down violently on the demon army. A wave of light emanated from Edgar's sword, felling the enemies breathlessly.

Sormain watched from afar, bewildered. "These powers must be bestowed by the gods," he thought, watching as the demon bodies lifelessly hit the ground.

When the brothers invoked the Demon of Death, it appeared as forewarned by the Emperor. It mocked the brothers' attempt as feeble.

"You two? It must be a joke. I always thought Laryus would be the one to come after me, but he seems too cowardly."

"I completely agree with you, Mr. Demon," said Tenzim. "Believe me, this is the last place I want to be, and you don't seem like pleasant company. Besides, you're quite ugly."

"Tenzim, we're not here to propose to him," Turalon said, charging at the demon with his sword.

Impressed by his brother's courage, Tenzim followed suit, throwing himself recklessly into battle. The demon, surprised by their power and dedication, gathered all his strength, fighting them fiercely without underestimating them again.

In the Kingdom of the Sun, the iron gates yielded, and demons stormed the citizens sheltering within the walls. Watching from afar, Edgar knew his firestorm could harm the inhabitants, so he used the wave of light again. It cleansed Tuzmad, incinerating the demons and turning them to ash.

As the castle's inhabitants prayed in gratitude for the miraculous event they had just witnessed, Tenzim clenched the heart of the Demon of Death tightly in his hand. He and his brother had succeeded in defeating the last commander of the demonic legion. Anys watched the battle from afar, convinced that the two brothers would restore the order to its former glory. Laryus, who had been vigilantly watching over them, now appeared before the awakened brothers.

Approaching the portal, Damyen prepared to close it using an incantation known only to him. The portal was vast, like the gates of a castle. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Whirling around, sword in hand, he was ready to face any threat.

"I'm going to destroy the portal, Edgar. Neither you nor the Emperor will stop me," Damyen declared.

"I have no desire to stop you, father. Thank you for the clues you left," Edgar responded.

Edgar threw his sword towards the portal, and it was struck by dozens of lightning bolts, reducing it to a heap of stones.

"The unleashed powers of a heir... Edgar, you are in danger! The other Edgar will try to ascend the throne of time, to harm you before you discover the knowledge inherited from Xal'Nagus," Damyen warned.

Before he could finish speaking, Edgar had already vanished in the blink of an eye.

In the Emperor's palace, the other Edgar stormed in furiously. The destruction of the portal signified a lost battle for them in this timeline. He couldn't bear being surpassed in power by the one he could once easily kill. He hurried towards the throne room, where the Emperor was waiting.

"You're in a hurry?" a voice called from behind him.

Turning around, he froze at the sight of Edgar holding the majestic Phoenix sword.

"Give me the sword, and I'll end the Emperor's tyranny. He trusts me; I can get close to him," the other Edgar demanded.

"Here you go," Edgar said, handing over the sword, seeming glad to be rid of the curse.

"How naive he can be!" the other Edgar thought, taking the sword. Without hesitation, he stabbed Edgar in the heart, felling him lifelessly.

In the throne room, the Emperor awaited with a smile. Everything had unfolded as he had foreseen. As soon as Edgar entered the palace, the Emperor had invaded his mind and forced him to hand over the sword to his other self. Now, the Sun Diamonds were in his possession, and with the new knowledge and powers they offered, he planned to resurrect his father, Xal'Adunoss.

"You invaded his mind, didn't you?"

"Yes. He did exactly as I commanded. Now, you must fulfill your part of the promise."

"What promise?"

"The one where you leave this world. Your services are no longer needed, now that I have the diamonds."

By invading his mind, the Emperor forced him to end his own life. He lifted the sword, and with the newly acquired power, he smiled contentedly. He felt like a god, an immortal with limitless powers, destined to rule all humanity.

However, the Emperor's joy was short-lived. The Phoenix sword miraculously vanished from his hands. Confused by this occurrence, he looked up and saw a flower fall at his feet. It was the most beautiful flower from his garden, the one he had protected for centuries. The flower that had safeguarded his immortality.

Before him stood a knight, whose presence was impossible. This shouldn't have happened, as he had foreseen an entirely different future.

"Why does no one stay dead?" the Emperor yelled, struggling to control his fury and shaking. "How is this possible? My visions never fail."

"What you saw were the visions I implanted in your mind. It was all an illusion."

"No, it can't be true! I am the Emperor of Time!"

"You were. Since you proved to be an unfit emperor, it's time for someone else to succeed you."

In the Slumbering Forest, Laryus, Turalon, and Tenzim tried in vain to stop Valleria from crying. When Edgar was killed by his own sword, the young princess experienced the moment through a vision.

The sacrifice of Edgar, a valiant warrior whose life was claimed in the throes of a brutal war, became a poignant symbol of the high cost of peace. In memory of the young hero's selfless deeds, King Sormain decreed the construction of a grand statue, a permanent testament to Edgar's bravery and sacrifice. This noble effigy, standing tall in the heart of the kingdom, served as a reminder of the courage and resolve that had turned the tide of battle.

In the Kingdom of the Sun, a significant tribute was paid to Edgar's legacy. The bustling King's Road, a vital artery of the kingdom, was rechristened Argyle Road, in honor of the hero who had fought with the strength and valor of the gods themselves. Edgar's tale, woven with feats of extraordinary power and selfless courage, quickly spread beyond the kingdom's borders, capturing the imagination and reverence of people far and wide. To many, Edgar transcended the realm of mere mortals, ascending in their hearts and minds to the stature of a divine emissary, a beacon of hope and heroism in a world often shadowed by turmoil and strife.

Beside the Blue Lake, Damyen woke up with a terrible headache, a sensation he hadn't felt in a long time. He thought freely, and the fury and hatred completely vanished from his mind, allowing his heart to feel the beauty surrounding him once again.

Marcus too felt the winds of change, a sense of fulfillment enveloping him suddenly. He smiled, being the only one who knew what had truly transpired.

Days flew by as quickly as weeks and months, and the pain in people's hearts began to heal. Valleria gave birth to beautiful twins, like little angels. They were the light of her eyes, and she was determined to raise them with all her love.

Laryus and the two brothers reopened the Order of the Sun Circle, hoping to establish the most powerful order to protect the world from the shadows. The first to join them was Damyen. He revealed many secrets to the brothers and trained them in ways only he knew.

"Does this order even have a purpose anymore?" Tenzim wondered. "The demons have been banished forever, the portal destroyed, and the Emperor killed."

"This order has been watching over humanity for a very long time," Laryus explained. "Besides, our mission has just begun."

"Our mission? What is that?" Turalon inquired.

"To destroy the throne of time and banish the new emperor."

Damyen and the brothers were taken aback. Their peace, it seemed, was short-lived. How could a new emperor have arisen?

"Another one? What are his intentions? What chance do we stand against him?" Damyen asked.

"Rumors suggest he's far more powerful. All I know for certain is that he's just another criminal. He mercilessly killed the other emperor. Eventually, he'll make a mistake and expose himself, and the Sun Circle will be there, waiting.”

As it has been since ancient times, in times of peace, humanity prepared for war. Grateful to witness another dawn, which our heroes admired in all its glory, they began preparing for a new adventure.