《The Herald of Ashes》 1. THE WHISPER OF ASHES The pale, distant light of dawn barely managed to illuminate the ash-covered landscape. The wind carried with it echoes of a devastated past, where cities were little more than rubble, and memories of a prosperous era faded like smoke. Reik walked swiftly, his gray cloak billowing behind him as he moved along the secret path leading to the hideout. His green eyes scanned every shadow, alert for any movement. Since the devils had seized the kingdom, vigilance had become a matter of survival. Though his blonde hair was dusted with ash, it still shone like a beacon amidst the gray. He wasn''t alone. Walking beside him were two hooded figures. Laira, a young elf with a piercing gaze and silent, graceful movements, and Tharion, a stout dwarf with a braided beard, carrying a massive hammer strapped to his back. The three of them were heading to a meeting at a place few knew about: the secret headquarters of the Lions¡¯ Guild, an underground group of fighters dedicated to freeing the kingdom from the infernal yoke. "Do you think we''ll make it before dusk?" Laira asked, breaking the silence with her soft voice, her sharp senses still attuned to the surroundings. Reik didn¡¯t take his eyes off the path but nodded slightly. "If all goes according to plan, we should be there before dark," he replied. He didn¡¯t enjoy talking much, but he knew his companions needed some reassurance that they were safe. Although, in these times, safety was merely an illusion. Tharion let out a deep chuckle, though it lacked humor. "Bah, like it matters whether we get there sooner or later. If the devils find us, time won''t make a difference," he said, adjusting the hammer on his back. "Though, if there¡¯s a fight, I wouldn¡¯t mind cracking a few heads before I die." Reik glanced at him, a half-smile tugging at his lips. "I¡¯d rather not die today, Tharion. There¡¯s still much to be done." The dwarf chuckled again, but his laughter faded as the landscape shifted before them. The path twisted between ash-covered hills until they arrived at a large rock that appeared as ordinary as the others. "Is this it?" Laira asked, eyeing the rock with suspicion. Reik stepped forward and pressed his hand against the surface of the rock. A few seconds later, the ground trembled slightly, and a crack appeared, revealing a hidden entrance. The Lions¡¯ Guild had learned to hide well over the years.
"Come on, we don''t have all day," Reik said as he stepped through the opening, followed by his companions. "How did you know the entrance?" Tharion asked, his face filled with surprise. "I have no idea, it was as if I had been here before," Reik replied, equally bewildered. The interior of the cave was lit by torches burning with blue flames, a reminder that magic still flowed in some parts of the world. Inside, a dozen figures were gathered around a stone table. All of them were seasoned warriors¡ªsome bearing visible scars, others with eyes heavy with untold stories. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. At the head of the table stood Kaiser, the leader of the guild. He was a tall, stern man whose gaze seemed to scrutinize every newcomer. When Reik entered, Kaiser looked up and gave a slight nod. "You¡¯ve arrived just in time, Reik," he said, his deep voice echoing through the cave. "The situation is more critical than we expected." "How do you know me?" Reik asked, his face filled with concern. "It¡¯s a long story, but we don¡¯t have time for that now. Sit, and let¡¯s talk," Kaiser replied. Reik approached the table, allowing his companions to quietly take their seats. Kaiser sighed, resting both hands on the stone surface. "The devils have reinforced the kingdom¡¯s borders. They¡¯ve taken control of the last strategic points we had left," he explained, pointing to a map covered in red marks. "If we don¡¯t act now, there will be no more resistance. We need to move, and soon. Time is running out." Reik listened closely, though his mind was distracted. Kaiser¡¯s words echoed in his head, but he couldn¡¯t shake the unease brought on by the leader¡¯s gaze. How did he know him? Why had he spoken as if he knew something about Reik¡ªsomething even Reik himself didn¡¯t remember? Kaiser paused and looked at him directly. "Reik, I know you''re troubled by what I said. I promise, when we have time, I¡¯ll explain everything you need to know. But right now, we need your help." "Alright," Reik replied, locking eyes with Kaiser. "What''s the plan?" Kaiser studied the map in silence for a moment before continuing. With a firm gesture, he pointed to a region that wasn¡¯t marked in red but was surrounded by the lines of territories controlled by the devils. "Before we rush into a suicidal offensive against their lines, there is something we must do," Kaiser said, his voice grave. "In this area..." he pointed to a spot in the south, "the devils have captured a large number of slaves. But these aren¡¯t ordinary slaves. Most of them were warriors of the old kingdom¡ªsoldiers, swordsmen, even some high-ranking captains. People who fought for freedom before they were defeated and enslaved." Reik raised an eyebrow, surprised. "They¡¯re... alive?" he asked. "Yes, though barely. They¡¯ve been enslaved in the camps of the Shadowed Valley, forced to work to the point of death or used as entertainment for the devils," Kaiser frowned. "However, if we manage to free them, they could join our cause. We would regain not only valuable fighters but also those who know the kingdom¡¯s war strategies. With their help, our chances of success would increase significantly." Laira, who had remained silent, stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with a spark of hope. "Are you saying we have a real chance to recover part of our army?" she asked, clearly intrigued. "Exactly," Kaiser replied. "But the mission won¡¯t be easy. The devils have tightened security in the area. They¡¯re using those warriors not only as slaves but also as a warning to anyone thinking of resisting. If we can infiltrate and free them, we¡¯ll not only gain allies but also weaken the devils'' forces in that region." Tharion, ever the pragmatist, crossed his arms. "And how exactly do you plan to get into a devil-filled camp and free an army of slaves?" he asked, his tone skeptical. Kaiser smiled faintly, as if he had been expecting the question. "We won¡¯t charge in head-on, Tharion. Our spies have provided us with key information. The defenses of the Shadowed Valley rely on a magical surveillance network the devils have set up. If we manage to disable those control points, we could slip in unnoticed long enough to free the prisoners and arm them." Tharion let out a deep sigh. "It¡¯s madness, but if we¡¯re going to die, I¡¯d rather do it with an army at our backs," he said with a mocking grin. Reik remained silent for a moment, weighing the options. Finally, he looked at Kaiser. "I¡¯m in. Let¡¯s free those warriors and give these devils what they deserve." Kaiser gave a slight smile and nodded. "Good. Rest up and prepare. At dawn, we leave for the Shadowed Valley." 2. Shadow Demons At dawn, Reik and his allies were ready for their journey to the Shadowed Valley, where a great battle awaited them. ¡°Hey Tharion, I hope you live up to the fight,¡± Laira said with a laugh. ¡°Your jokes stopped being funny before the demons came. I hope you don¡¯t wet yourself when you see one up close,¡± the dwarf replied, concealing his own fear of what was to come. ¡°Take this journey seriously and leave the jokes behind,¡± Reik said firmly. Thirteen long hours had passed since they began their trek. The landscape around them had gradually changed, with the early rays of sunlight giving way to a cloudy, gray sky. The path felt heavier under their feet, and although no one voiced it, exhaustion was visible on everyone¡¯s faces. ¡°We need to rest for a while; I think we all need it,¡± Kaiser said. ¡°We need to get there as soon as possible. The longer we take, the less time the people of the kingdom and its surroundings have,¡± Reik raised his voice to Kaiser. ¡°We won¡¯t accomplish anything if we arrive exhausted; we¡¯ll make mistakes and be much slower if something goes wrong with our plan,¡± Kaiser countered. ¡°He¡¯s right. Reik, be patient,¡± Laira said, placing a hand on Reik¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­ You¡¯re right. I¡¯m being selfish. I don¡¯t intend to put you all in danger,¡± Reik said softly, lowering his gaze. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Reik. There¡¯s no need to apologize. Your intentions are noble; you want to save the kingdom, and not everyone would have the courage to do that.¡± After this conversation, the group fell into a reflective silence. The tension in the air gradually dissipated, and the accumulated fatigue began to show. One by one, they sat down, leaning their backpacks against nearby rocks and logs. Despite the serenity of the surroundings, everyone remained on high alert, attentive to any sounds that might indicate danger in the darkness of the forest. Kaiser, who had remained silent after the last words, slowly stood up from where he was sitting. His footsteps made barely any noise as he approached Reik, who was staring blankly at the forest horizon, lost in thought. ¡°Reik, can you come over here for a moment?¡± Kaiser asked. ¡°Sure, They wa ¡°Can I ask you a couple of questions?¡± Kaiser asked, his tone indicating the importance of what w ¡°I don¡¯t mind answering, so go ahead,¡± Reik replied. Reik was very curious, as it seemed Kaiser knew him and it didn¡¯t appear to be just a casual acquaintance. They seemed to share some kind of bond, but what kind of bond was it? ¡°What is your greatest desire?¡± ¡°To destroy the demons,¡± Reik answered. ¡°Are you sure about your answer?¡± Kaiser pressed, waiting for a more sincere response. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Alright, my greatest desire is to be the most powerful in the kingdom and protect everyone, whether human, elf, or any other race,¡± Reik replied with a determined look. ¡°That¡¯s the answer I was hoping for. Good.¡± ¡°Alright, and what¡¯s the other question? What is it?¡± Reik asked. ¡°Are you prepared to risk your life constantly until you become the most powerful?¡± ¡°I¡¯m more than prepared; I will do whatever it takes day by day until I achieve it,¡± Reik answered with excitement and determination. ¡°Then I believe today is the perfect time. It¡¯s time to give you something that belongs to you.¡± ¡°Something that belongs to me?¡± Reik asked, astonished. ¡°This is yours by right of blood.¡± Kaiser slowly withdrew from his leather coat something wrapped in a velvet cloth and extended his arms toward Reik. ¡°Take it, Reik,¡± Kaiser said in a deep voice. ¡°It¡¯s time for you to wield it.¡± At that moment, Reik took the cloth and carefully uncovered what it concealed. It was a sword with a very thin and sharp blade, adorned with strange and very ancient symbols. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. Are you telling me that this sword, which looks like it could break easily, belongs to me by blood?¡± Reik asked. ¡°I assure you it¡¯s yours. Trust me. It¡¯s not an ordinary sword,¡± Kaiser responded. ¡°Then explain. Why does it belong to me by right of blood? What do you know about me and my past that I don¡¯t even remember?¡± Reik asked, frustration and curiosity evident in his voice. ¡°You¡¯re ready to fight the demons, but it¡¯s still too early to answer those questions. You¡¯ll get the answers, but it¡¯s not the time yet.¡± Reik frowned, aware that there was still much to uncover. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait, but make sure you don¡¯t die without telling me everything in detail,¡± Reik said. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I don¡¯t plan on dying,¡± Kaiser said with a smile. ¡°Thank you for the sword,¡± Reik said, ending the conversation. Reik and Kaiser returned to the group, their conversation leaving Reik with more questions than answers. They all took the opportunity to eat and rest, but they didn¡¯t have much time. Soon after finishing their meal, while some were already snoring loudly, Reik, Kaiser, and a few others woke up. ¡°Do you notice those presences?¡± Fain said. Fain, a considerably tall man with a robust and strong body, was likely one of the strongest among them. The tension in his voice and the tremor in his body were unmistakable, revealing the impact that the sinister presences he sensed were having on him. Despite his impressive strength, the threat he felt was palpable, and immediately, the rest of the group became alert, understanding the gravity of the situation. ¡°Wake up, everyone! Grab your weapons and get into defensive positions,¡± Kaiser shouted. His tone left no room for doubt, and in an instant, the group went from the lethargy of rest to tense preparation. The warriors immediately grabbed their weapons with haste. ¡°Tharion, Laira. Are you ready?¡± Reik asked. ¡°Yes!¡± they both responded in unison, with palpable determination in their voices. At that moment, Reik firmly grasped the sword Kaiser had given him. Suddenly, without warning, a warrior who had been right behind Reik vanished with a scream, dragged away by something invisible. ¡°AHHH, HELP!!¡± ¡°Solid! Answer me! Are you there?¡± Kaiser shouted, his voice filled with urgency as he searched for his companion amidst the growing unease. But there was no response, only an oppressive silence enveloping the camp. Kaiser, who had known Solid for many years, was deeply concerned for his friend. ¡°Calm down, Kaiser! Keep your head cool and don¡¯t lose it, or we¡¯ll all die,¡± Reik said firmly, trying to take control of the situation. The tension in the air was palpable, but Reik knew that losing control at this moment would only lead them to disaster. ¡°Fire, we need fire!¡± Laira said. At that moment, several companions quickly ignited their torches. Thanks to this, they were able to see further than their eyes had barely been able to moments before. As the flames illuminated much of the darkness around them, they couldn¡¯t believe what they were seeing. ¡°What are those things?¡± Tharion said. With a slender, elongated body, these creatures moved like a gust of wind, almost invisible to the naked eye. Their skin was a deep black, covered with small iridescent scales that allowed them to blend into the night¡¯s darkness. Their claws were thin and sharp as blades. ¡°Get ready! These are the first demons we¡¯ll face, and they are called Shadow Demons. They are the weakest. If we want to reclaim the kingdom, we will face things a thousand times worse than these beings,¡± Kaiser said, rallying the group. 3. SHADOW DEMONS II Just as Kaiser finished speaking, one of the Shadow Demons charged toward them with almost inhuman speed. "Watch out!" Tharion yelled, swinging his axe with all his might. The axe''s blade came close to the demon, but Tharion dodged the attack with surprising agility. In the blink of an eye, another Shadow Demon lunged from the right flank. Reik, wielding the sword Kaiser had handed him moments before, tried to intercept it. He felt the strange weight of the weapon in his hands, but deep down, something told him that this sword was more than it seemed. "I won¡¯t die here, I¡¯ll overcome this no matter what!" Reik shouted. At that very moment, a Shadow Demon darted toward Reik with clear intent to end his life. However, Reik reacted just in time and swiftly dodged the attack aimed at his neck. With great skill, he slashed the Shadow Demon in half. "Incredible, how did you do that? I couldn¡¯t even see it!" Laira said. "Not bad at all, Reik," Tharion said, clearly impressed. "If you want, I can leave the rest for you, Tharion," Reik replied, laughing. "Stay focused! There¡¯s another one coming," Kaiser said, pointing to Tharion¡¯s right.
With lightning speed, another Shadow Demon leaped at Tharion. Surprised, Tharion fell to the ground, and with a luck no warrior should have, he tripped just in time to dodge the demon¡¯s claws. That brief moment allowed him to defend himself with his axe. "Someone get this thing off me, please!" Tharion shouted, struggling to fend off the demon with his axe. Hearing Tharion¡¯s desperate cries, Reik didn¡¯t hesitate to rush to his aid. With quick and agile steps, he ran toward his companion while the Shadow Demon kept attacking mercilessly, its claws scraping the edge of Tharion¡¯s axe. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. "Hold on, I¡¯m coming!" Reik shouted, gripping his sword tightly. With a swift move, Reik slashed the demon, ending its life. "Are you alright, Tharion?" Reik asked, laughing. "I don¡¯t find it funny at all, I nearly died," Tharion replied. "Sorry, Tharion, but that was surreal. You saved yourself by falling, you know?" Reik said. "Let¡¯s focus on the fight. After what happened, I can¡¯t leave it like this; I¡¯m going to take them down!" Tharion said, determined to regain his honor. "Be careful. Reik, Tharion, Laira, take down the ones in front of us. I and the others will cover your backs!" Kaiser commanded. "Got it, I trust you!" Reik said, gripping his sword tightly.
But at that moment, their plan was unexpectedly thwarted as the Shadow Demons devised something unimaginable, something the warriors weren¡¯t prepared for. "HAHAHAHA!" The demons'' laughter echoed in everyone¡¯s minds. "My head hurts... They¡¯re laughing at us," Reik said. "They won¡¯t be laughing so much when they taste my axe," Tharion growled, enraged. "You¡¯re dead!" the demons shouted with sinister laughter. "You¡¯re trash, and you¡¯ll be eliminated," they continued, their cackles filled with disdain and malice. Suddenly, the demons¡¯ voices fell silent, and an absolute stillness took over the area, which worried them even more. Moments later, a dense fog began to rise, and a feeling of terror completely consumed them, leaving them unable to move a single muscle. They knew something terrible was about to happen... "Stay focused, we don¡¯t know what they¡¯re planning, but prepare for the worst," Kaiser said. Kaiser wanted his words to help, but even he feared the overwhelming sensation and could barely move his fingers. "Today is the day my story begins, and I won¡¯t let it end here and now," Reik said, tensing his muscles. Thanks to those words, everyone felt encouraged and gained a bit more confidence. They were astonished that someone as young as Reik had such a strong will, and of course, they didn¡¯t intend to be left behind.
"You¡¯ll go far, Reik, and I hope to be there to see it," Kaiser said with a bright smile. Suddenly, the ground began to tremble beneath their feet, then the tremor grew stronger until the nearby rocks began to roll. The air filled with dust, and the trees creaked as if they were about to break. Everyone halted, their eyes wide with panic. "It doesn¡¯t seem like an earthquake. Those are footsteps... But what could it be?" Laira asked, worried. "No idea, but it''s not small," Reik replied. At that very moment, the sound stopped, and no one could say a word. They were stunned by what they saw before them.
"It¡¯s... it¡¯s... huge!" Fain screamed, utterly terrified. 4: Courage and Sacrifice Fain''s scream echoed through the entire forest as Reik and the others remained silent, not moving a muscle. Suddenly, Tharion struck his axe against a rock, making everyone react. "Don¡¯t give up, we¡¯re going to win no matter what," said Tharion. Everyone looked at Tharion, terrified, except for two people, Reik and Kaiser, who for some reason, weren''t afraid. "Shut up, Tharion, your legs are shaking," said Laira. Demon: "Oh... what a pathetic sight! Little creatures, trembling like leaves before the storm. They whisper prayers, they hope for redemption... but all they will find are ashes and screams." Everyone was stunned by the words of the massive demon in front of them; still, they were ready to fight, regardless of the outcome of the battle. At that same moment, Kaiser stepped forward and gave a clear order to everyone: "Leave, all of you! I''ll take care of him personally. I want you to move forward; our mission is of crucial importance to waste time, or even lives, here and now. Go and become stronger and stronger!" "Leave without you? You''re crazy! You''ll die! "Reik said¡±. "Calm down, Reik. We''ll meet again. I assure you, this won''t be the place of my death." "Let''s get out of here! "exclaimed Tharion impatiently. At that moment, Tharion and Laira rushed toward Reik and pulled at his arms, trying to drag him along with them. "Listen to me, everyone! From now on, until I return, I want you to follow Fain''s orders. Understood?" said Kaiser with a smile. "Yes!" they all shouted in unison. No more words were needed. At that moment, everyone began to leave. "Follow me, let''s get out of here right now!" ordered Fain with determination.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.
"Do you really think you can escape, human scum?" the demon said, laughing as his voice echoed in each of their minds. Before the demon could react, Kaiser lunged forward in a swift leap, delivering a deep slash to its neck with a quick and ferocious attack. "Damn filthy human... You will regret this! I can assure you!" the demon snarled. "This is between you and me. I''m going to enjoy eliminating you!" said Kaiser. *20 minutes have passed* Reik and his group had finally managed to escape the forest. There were still a couple of hours left before the sun appeared on the horizon. "I hope Kaiser managed to get out alive..." Laira said, deep concern in her voice. "For now, we stick to the plan. Fortunately, we haven''t strayed too far from the route to the Shadow Valley," Fain replied, trying to keep calm. "If only we had horses, we wouldn''t have to walk for hours..." Tharion murmured, clearly exhausted. "Well, Tharion, your steps are shorter than ours," Reik replied with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. Reik, however, was the most worried about Kaiser. Although he couldn''t stop thinking about what might have happened, he knew he couldn''t let himself be consumed by uncertainty. It was crucial to keep his mind clear. The mission had to remain the priority. MEANWHILE... The demon screamed in pain, his body writhing on the ground in a desperate attempt to escape Kaiser. He was missing both legs and an arm; rather than eliminating him, it seemed like Kaiser had been playing with him. What had happened? Kaiser looked at him with a look of complete superiority, a smile on his face. His clothes were torn to pieces, but his body showed not a single scratch. How was it possible that the demon was in his final moments of life, yet Kaiser was perfectly fine? Calmly, Kaiser began to approach him, unhurried, as if he were facing a mere nuisance that he would soon eliminate.
Demon: Stay away from me, don''t come any closer! What are you? Tell me, what are you! "Let''s just say I''m something that doesn''t like demons... I thought you might at least entertain me a little longer, but I see that low-level demons like you aren''t much of a threat... Though, I''m really looking forward to seeing Zorath again, he''s the one who will truly entertain me." "Z... Zorath...? Did you say Zorath? How do you know one of the Four Demons of Chaos?" the Demon asked, surprised.
While the demon insisted on asking how Kaiser knew the name of Zorath, Kaiser, unfazed, lifted his foot and crushed the demon''s head with a simple motion, as if it were an insignificant ant. Kaiser had just mentioned the name of Zorath, one of the Four Demons of Chaos. How could Kaiser know such a high-level demon? And most importantly... what exactly was Kaiser? 5: Wrath and Ashes The group was now advancing through a barren and rocky terrain. The sun had already risen, and exhaustion was evident in each of them. They had spent a chaotic night, unable to rest, and now they felt completely drained. In the distance, something astonishing appeared before their eyes: a waterfall. It was so unusual that it seemed like magic, as it didn¡¯t fit with the barren environment they were in. The water cascaded in a series of bright droplets, contrasting with the dry terrain surrounding it. ¡°How is it possible that there isn¡¯t a single tree here, but there is a waterfall? This makes no sense...¡± Reik exclaimed, frowning as he observed the water. Fain stopped walking and looked ahead. With a sigh, he pointed at the waterfall. ¡°We are one hour from our destination. Let''s rest here for a moment. Those small details don¡¯t matter right now,¡± he replied, trying to keep the group''s spirits up despite their exhaustion. As Laira and Tharion approached the waterfall, Reik walked up to Fain to start a conversation. ¡°I know we don¡¯t know each other well, but I¡¯d like to know what our chances are in the attack on the Shadow Valley. You don¡¯t look too good, and I assume it has a lot to do with the comrades we''ve lost,¡± Reik said, looking at Fain seriously. ¡°Indeed¡­ our chances are practically zero,¡± Fain replied with a sigh. ¡°Then, is it possible that the plan ends up being a failure?¡± Reik asked gravely. ¡°We haven¡¯t just lost several people in the forest... The worst part is that we lost Kaiser, and he was our best shot,¡± Fain answered, a sad look on his face. ¡°Even if the chances are one in a million, I¡¯m not giving up. We¡¯ll save the slaves from the Valley, no matter what, and not only that, we¡¯ll slowly take back our kingdom,¡± Reik said with determination. Those words made Fain smile broadly. ¡°You¡¯re incredible, Reik,¡± Fain responded, impressed. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Are you laughing at me?¡± Reik asked, a bit confused. ¡°Not at all. You¡¯re just an incredible young man. Now I understand the hopes Kaiser had placed in you,¡± Fain said with a smile. ¡°Kaiser has hopes placed in me?¡± Reik asked, surprised. ¡°Many, Reik. So keep that strength that drives you to give your all, and don¡¯t let it go,¡± Fain replied, giving him a friendly pat on the shoulder. ¡°Thanks, Fain,¡± Reik said. Fain¡¯s words motivated Reik, who, smiling, moved away from him and walked over to spend time with Laira and Tharion. Hours passed, they ate, bathed (which was much needed, as they smelled terrible), and finally went to sleep to prepare for the big day. At dawn, Reik, fully awake and full of energy, shook his companions enthusiastically. ¡°Wake up!¡± he shouted with a firm voice. ¡°Our moment has arrived! Today we will reclaim what¡¯s ours and show that humans can defeat those filthy demons.¡± One by one, his companions began to wake up. Some still had sleep in their eyes and blinked in difficulty, trying to shake off the sleep. But Reik¡¯s words sparked something in them: a spark of determination, a fire burning inside. Almost in unison, they responded with a shout that echoed across the camp, filled with strength and resolve: ¡°Let¡¯s go get them!!¡± As everyone prepared for the great assault, Laira approached Reik with a concerned look. ¡°I want you to promise me something,¡± she said firmly. Reik looked at her, noticing the worry in her voice. ¡°Tell me, Laira. You seem worried, what¡¯s going on?¡± Laira clenched her fists, lowering her gaze for a moment before meeting Reik¡¯s eyes again. ¡°Of course something¡¯s wrong... I want you to promise me that during the attack, you won¡¯t do anything reckless. I can¡¯t lose you, Reik. You¡¯re really important to me,¡± she confessed, a shadow of sadness on her face. Reik gave her a calm smile and hugged her tightly. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.¡°Laira, nothing¡¯s going to happen. Everything will be fine, okay? I¡¯m not going to die until the last demon has fallen. You won¡¯t lose me for anything in the world. I¡¯ll always be here, for you and for Tharion. You are my family.¡± ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll trust your word,¡± Laira replied with a calm smile. After that heartfelt conversation between Laira and Reik, they both walked over to Tharion, who seemed to be more asleep than awake. ¡°Tharion, we need you to wake up! You¡¯re our expert in amputating legs,¡± Reik joked, taking the opportunity. Tharion raised his head, rubbing his eyes. ¡°Very funny, as always. You¡¯re still making dwarf jokes, how strange of you,¡± he replied, with a lazy smile. ¡°Hey, I could use a nail trim... Bring your axe and give me a little fix-up,¡± Reik continued, cracking another joke. ¡°Guys, stop talking so much and let¡¯s go already, we¡¯re wasting time. Remember, we still have an hour before we reach the valley,¡± Fain said, his voice firm. Without another word, they gathered their things and started heading to the valley. At that very moment, no one was thinking about their slim chances; everyone was convinced, without a doubt in their minds. When they reached the valley, they could see the imposing walls of the fortress from a distance, rising about 20 meters into the sky. At that moment, more than one of the group felt a sense of doubt, as if the task ahead of them was impossible to achieve. Considering that the group was currently made up of only 18 people, it was clear that the mission was almost impossible. However, neither Fain nor Reik intended to worsen the situation by agreeing with them. Although they didn¡¯t plan to lie, they knew that guaranteeing no one would die was impossible. Deaths were inevitable, on both their side and the demons''. ¡°I¡¯ll fight. If anyone wants to desert, this is the moment. If we do nothing, our world will be completely theirs. It¡¯s now or never. It¡¯s time to change the situation,¡± Reik said, looking at each of those present. After Reik spoke, silence fell over the group, interrupted only by the wind. Everyone knew what was at stake, but Reik didn¡¯t mind reminding each one of them. Fain, looking at Reik with a slight smile, said: ¡°These are the things that impress me about you, your determination. You don¡¯t doubt, and your mind is completely focused on what matters.¡± Then, turning to the rest of the group, he continued: ¡°Alright, if none of you have moved, I assume Reik¡¯s words have convinced you.¡± Everyone responded in unison: ¡°Yes!¡± Except for Tharion and Laira, who had no doubts. Moreover, Laira felt especially motivated and ready, thanks to the conversation she had had with Reik. ¡°Well, I suppose you all remember the plan we had: disable the control points of the magical surveillance network they have,¡± Fain said. ¡°Yes, I remember. Where are those points?¡± Reik asked. Fain took out a map they had created with information provided by the spies. The map clearly showed the control points at the four corners of the wall. ¡°Alright, we know where they are, but I have two important questions,¡± Reik said. ¡°You have questions because I haven¡¯t finished explaining yet, Reik. Trust me, when I¡¯m done, you won¡¯t have any,¡± Fain replied, patiently. ¡°Sorry, continue,¡± Reik said, a bit embarrassed. ¡°The plan is as follows. First, I¡¯m going to give you some cloaks.¡± Fain took out eight cloaks and handed them to Reik, Tharion, Laira, and four other members of the group. ¡°We only have, unfortunately, eight cloaks. These are used to hide from the magical artifacts they have at the control points, so we¡¯ll go in pairs of four,¡± Fain said. ¡°Will a cloak really hide us?¡± Reik asked, doubtful. ¡°Of course,¡± Fain replied confidently. ¡°It¡¯s not just any cloak, it¡¯s a Spectral Cloak. It¡¯s designed to hide the wearer from detection magical artifacts. It distorts the signals emitted by the human body, making us invisible to those artifacts.¡± Once everyone had put on the cloaks, they noticed that Tharion¡¯s was excessively large. ¡°HAHAHAHA!¡± Reik and Laira couldn¡¯t stop laughing. ¡°What are you laughing at, you brainless fools?¡± Tharion said, annoyed, as he walked toward them. But as he took a step, he stepped on the cloak and slipped, falling to the ground. This made Laira and Reik laugh even harder, and soon the whole group joined in the laughter. ¡°Alright, alright, sorry, Tharion,¡± Reik said. Tharion didn¡¯t respond and instead turned his back. Once everyone stopped laughing, they looked at Fain. ¡°I¡¯m going to explain the second part of the plan. Once you reach the control points without being detected thanks to the cloaks, it won¡¯t be easy to destroy the artifact, but in this case, we have what we need to do it. However, we have a small problem,¡± Fain said in a serious tone. ¡°It can only be destroyed with an anti-magic weapon, and we only have two,¡± Fain said, pulling out two daggers from his backpack. ¡°Anti-magic? I¡¯ve never heard of it,¡± Reik commented. "Because almost everyone is unaware of it. Anti-magic can counter any type of magic," responded Fain. Everyone was surprised by Fain¡¯s knowledge of anti-magic and its advantages, and Reik looked at him with a curious expression, eager to learn more. "This guy is a genius, learn, Reik, learn," said Tharion. Reik said nothing, as he accepted that he had much to learn, and Fain could teach him great things. "Since we only have two daggers, those of us who carry them will have to take care of two artifacts. So, Reik, you and I will handle the magical artifacts," Fain explained, handing him one of the daggers. Reik looked at the dagger; it seemed completely ordinary, like any other. He saw no difference between this dagger and the ones he had seen before. "Reik, you''ll take care of the control points on the left, and I''ll handle the ones on the right," Fain said. "Understood," Reik replied. "We will be two teams. Team 1 will be: Reik, Laira, Tharion, and Sarep. And the other team will be me with Kiran, Lior, and Zarek," Fain said. 6: Tides of Blood Once the moment arrived, both groups made their way carefully and in complete silence toward their respective destinations. As they neared the wall, they felt the air grow thicker, making it harder to breathe, while a chill ran down their spines. When they were just a few meters away, they noticed the eerie number of skulls scattered all around the area near the wall.
"Damn... These could be us soon," Tharion whispered to Reik, fear reflected in his voice. "Silence, let''s keep going," Reik said. When they reached the wall, both groups exchanged a look that clearly indicated it was time to climb. With utmost care and without making a sound, they began the ascent, feeling the weight of the dense atmosphere surrounding them with every movement. They had to scale the wall with their bare hands since they had no tools to climb to such height. Luckily, the structure had enough ledges and cracks to grab onto, making the climb easier. The first to reach the top was Fain, who spotted a demon seemingly guarding that side. However, the creature didn¡¯t appear very alert, so Fain decided to wait for the right moment to take it down. Fortunately, it wasn''t like the demon from the forest; this was a lesser demon. Everyone remained completely silent, waiting for the perfect moment to eliminate the demon swiftly. Seconds later, the demon turned around, and Fain seized that small opportunity. With incredible speed and stealth, he attacked the demon, driving the dagger into its head and killing it without making a sound to alert the others. "Alright, now I''ll destroy the magical artifact. Keep an eye out for any demons." Fain said to his group. While Fain''s group kept watch for any approaching demons, Fain moved toward the magical artifact. It was of a considerably large size, its surface glowing with a soft lilac hue, almost like a reflection of a spring sunset. The color seemed to ebb and flow with the light, as if it contained a hidden power within its shades. He couldn''t waste any more time, so he gripped the dagger with both hands and plunged it into the artifact. As soon as the dagger penetrated it, the artifact shattered into hundreds of pieces that fell to the ground with a thunderous noise. Fain hadn''t expected it to disintegrate so easily, nor to break into so many fragments, as if it were made of paper. "Shit, stay alert, guys, in case they come," said Fain. The noise was heard by two demons patrolling the wall. They glanced at each other and quickly headed towards the spot where the artifact was. "They''re heading this way... We can''t let them find out the artifact has been destroyed. If they do, they''ll raise the alarm. We have to take them out before they can warn the others," said Fain. When the two demons arrived, they saw the artifact shattered on the ground. However, before they could scream to raise the alarm, Fain approached one of them from behind, covering its mouth with one hand while slashing its throat with the dagger in the other. At the same time, the other three companions knocked down the second demon, and despite the tension and nerves, they beheaded it before it could utter a single word. Unfortunately for them, another demon suddenly appeared. Upon seeing the scene, it opened its mouth and screamed in fury: "Humans! Humans! They''re attacking us!" Without losing a second, Fain lunged at him with speed. He landed a blow to his face that knocked him onto his back, and before he could react, Fain swiftly slid the dagger across his neck, silencing him instantly. "Let''s get out of here right now! Retreat!" ordered Fain. But the shout had alerted their comrades, who quickly moved into action. Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, Reik and his group also heard the screams and realized that something had gone wrong.
"We¡¯ve failed... Get out of here!" said Reik as he destroyed the magical artifact with the dagger.
"And you? Do you plan to stay here? Are you crazy?" asked Laira. "They''ve only discovered Fain and his group, they don''t know we''re here. I want you to flee right now. I''m going to try something... It''s our last chance to get out of here unscathed!" said Reik. "Stop with the nonsense, let''s go already," said Laira. "Trust me, I made you a promise, and I''m not going to break it. Please, do it and get out of here right now," replied Reik firmly.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. "Laira, let''s go. Let''s trust Reik, I''m sure he has a good plan," said Tharion. Laira, with a sad look, joined Tharion and Sarep to descend from the wall and get out of there, while Reik moved forward carefully, trying not to be discovered. As he advanced, he spotted a basement hatch. Could the slaves be here? Reik wondered. Reik, with difficulty, managed to open the hatch and descended into the basement. Meanwhile, on the other side of the wall, Fain''s group had already managed to escape¡ªexcept for him. He couldn''t do it, as they appeared before he could climb down the wall, forcing him to buy time for the others. "Fain? Are you okay?" Kiran asked worriedly, looking up at the wall. Kiran began climbing back up the wall when he saw that Fain neither came down nor responded. "Go, don''t worry about me!" Fain shouted while struggling to defend himself against several demons. Even so, Kiran kept climbing; he had no intention of leaving Fain behind when he was willing to risk his life for everyone. "Get down, don''t climb! Let''s take this chance to escape!" said Lior. "Go without me! I''m not going to let Fain die. If you want to escape, then leave now," Kiran replied. Lior and Zarek didn''t hesitate for a second to leave their companions behind and depart. Meanwhile, Kiran reached the top of the wall again, and what his eyes saw left him astonished. He watched as Fain fought against four demons at the same time. Though they were lesser demons, it was an inhuman feat. But what surprised him the most was that Fain had already taken down five others, their bodies lying on the ground, surrounded by a pool of blood. "Kiran, I told you to leave!" "I¡¯m not leaving you behind!" Kiran replied, as he lunged at one of the demons and cut off its arm. Between the two of them, they easily dealt with the four demons, but there was no time to celebrate, as more demons were quickly approaching. "Follow me," said Fain, as he kicked open the door to their right. Kiran didn¡¯t hesitate for a second and followed Fain inside. Everything around them was metallic, and a long hallway stretched out before them. They ran down it quickly, and when they reached the end, they found three paths: one to the left, one straight ahead, and one to the right. Without thinking, Fain moved ahead and turned left, before the demons could catch sight of them. "Humans, where are you? When we catch you, you''re going to wish you never came," said a demon, laughing. Fain and Kiran kept running, while Reik was in the basement. The place was dark, filthy, and smelled of decay. It was barely visible, thanks to the torches lighting up the hallway. He grabbed one of them and began his search for the slaves. As he moved forward, he saw a slightly open door. When he opened it, terror reflected in his gaze at the macabre scene in front of him. "What... what is this...?" Reik murmured to himself. Inside, blood covered every corner. Arms, legs, and heads of dozens of people lay scattered across the floor. The sight was so horrifying that he couldn¡¯t help but vomit. When he tried to take a step back, he slipped and fell to the ground. His body trembled, and his mind couldn¡¯t stop imagining what would happen to them if they were captured alive... Suddenly, footsteps echoed near the basement door. Reik didn¡¯t have time to react, and just seconds after hearing the footsteps, a demon appeared before him. But it wasn¡¯t just any demon. "Hello, boy. I see you''ve found my testing room..." the demon said with a malicious smile. As soon as Reik saw the demon, he immediately knew it was unlike the others. It emitted an overwhelming presence, an unknown power that inspired paralyzing fear. He understood that he wasn''t prepared to face such a creature, but the terror that overwhelmed him was so absolute that he couldn''t even move. "You¡¯re smart, I see you¡¯ve noticed the difference in strength between us. I¡¯ll have fun with you... I have great ideas for experiments with you," the demon said, laughing. Reik remained motionless, paralyzed by fear. The demon''s presence weighed down on him with an indescribable force, as if the very air around him had become heavy. But he wasn¡¯t about to be caught, especially not alive, after what he had seen. "You''re going back to hell, you bastard!" Reik exclaimed, drawing his sword. "Well, no need to get like that, kid. You don¡¯t stand a chance against me. What manners, I even forgot to introduce myself. I¡¯m Sergoth, though they also call me the Torturer. Soon you''ll find out why," said the demon, introducing himself. "You''re the one in charge here, right?" asked Reik. "Bingo!" replied Sergoth with a smile. Suddenly, Reik lunged to attack Sergoth, but in the blink of an eye, he vanished before his eyes. "Too slow. If you want to hit me, you''ll have to do it much faster and better," Sergoth whispered in Reik''s ear from behind him. With a quick movement, Reik swung his sword backward, but it was useless. Sergoth''s speed was astonishing, and he reappeared right behind Reik. With a kick, he sent him flying several meters, and Reik crashed into the metal wall, leaving the imprint of his body on the metal. Reik stood up, furious with himself for how weak he felt. He no longer felt fear; instead, a rage consumed him, angry at his own weakness before the demon. He gripped the sword''s hilt tightly and looked at Sergoth with a determined gaze. "Alright, alright, shall we continue? I¡¯ll love to see you completely defeated when I¡¯m done with you. There¡¯s no greater pleasure for a demon than to witness the terrified face of a human..." Sergoth was a demon who, at first glance, seemed no different from the others, but that appearance was just a facade. Inside, he harbored a power far superior to that of lower demons, which allowed him to rule the valley with authority. His passion for torture and experiments on humans made him an even more feared creature. "How can I defeat him? I can''t even land a blow with my sword..." Reik thought. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn''t find a way to defeat him, at least in his current state. He was between a rock and a hard place. "If you won''t attack, I will..." Sergoth said, charging at him with incredible speed. He struck Reik''s abdomen brutally, over and over, leaving him breathless. Before he could react, the demon delivered a devastating blow to his ribs, breaking several of them. "Am I going to die...? Is this where it all ends? Am I really this weak?" Reik thought, feeling rage.