The cultist, known only as the High Priest, watched from the shadows as the festivities continued in the kingdom of Norgard. He had been tasked with collecting sacrifices to summon a powerful demon, and this festival provided the perfect opportunity to do so.

The High Priest moved silently through the crowds, scanning for potential sacrifices. He spotted a young couple holding hands, laughing and enjoying the celebration. They would make excellent offerings to the demon.

As he approached the couple, he noticed a figure lurking nearby. It was Zed, one of his followers. The High Priest scowled at him, knowing that Zed was unreliable and had a tendency to act impulsively.

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"Stay back," he hissed at Zed. "This is my task alone."

Zed backed away, knowing better than to anger his leader. The High Priest approached the couple and lured them away with promises of a secret treasure trove. He led them to a secluded spot, where he swiftly dispatched them and added their bodies to his growing collection.

As the night wore on, the High Priest continued his dark work, snatching up unsuspecting victims and offering them up to the demon. But his plans were not without complications. The guards had become suspicious of the sudden increase in disappearances, and were beginning to investigate.

The High Priest knew that he needed to act quickly if he was to complete the summoning ritual before he was caught. He gathered his followers and began to prepare for the final stage of the ceremony.

But as the ritual began, something unexpected happened. The demon he had summoned was not the powerful entity he had hoped for, but a weakened and feeble creature, barely able to manifest in the mortal realm.

Furious at his failure, the High Priest vowed to try again. He knew that he would need even more sacrifices to summon a stronger demon, and he would stop at nothing to achieve his goal.

As the festival came to a close, the High Priest disappeared into the night, his twisted plans continuing to unfold in the