"We are in a world where magic and the mystical are real, not just fiction; a world where the unimaginable is possible, filled with wonders, supernatural beings, and creatures you once thought existed only in stories. All of them are here, in this place," said the mysterious voice, its tone echoing through the darkened tomb.
Hans stood frozen, the weight of the voice's words sinking in. The world around him was alien and inexplicable, but he couldn't deny the sense of awe that filled him. A world where the impossible was possible — it sounded like a dream, but everything here felt so tangible, so alive.
As the voice continued to reveal more about the world, Hans began to realize that while his understanding was expanding, there were things beyond his comprehension. The voice seemed to be explaining his purpose, but at the same time, another troubling reality was unfolding beyond his knowledge. The Twelve Kingdoms, powerful and ancient lands that lay beyond this forest, were already in turmoil.
In the distance, something strange had happened in the Forest of Darkness — a place feared and avoided by all. The ancient tombs of the demon rulers, long since forgotten, had been disturbed. The event sent ripples of concern through the kingdoms. Whispers began to spread, and the leaders of the Twelve Kingdoms grew increasingly uneasy. They had learned of an ancient prophecy that had been passed down through generations — one that spoke of a harbinger of destruction, who would bring eternal darkness after 100 years. This prophecy, once thought to be a mere legend, was now feared to be coming true.
Though the demon clans were thought to be long gone, the stirrings of something dark and powerful in the Forest of Darkness made the rulers anxious. They feared that the prophecy would unfold in their lifetimes, and the ancient evils would return to wreak havoc.
Hans, however, was unaware of the prophecy and its potential connection to the events unfolding. The voice continued to speak, trying to ease his confusion.
"Why me?" Hans asked, unable to shake the feeling of being an unwilling participant in something far beyond his understanding. "Why pick me? There are countless others who could be better suited for whatever this is."
The voice paused for a moment before answering, its tone turning almost somber. "I chose you because I felt a connection between us. It's as if our fates were intertwined, bound together in some cosmic way. You, Hans, are still good, though… unlike me, who is consumed by evil."
"Evil?" Hans repeated, his heart pounding. "What do you mean? You're pure evil? Who are you really?"
The voice was silent for a long while, as if contemplating whether or not to answer. Then, without warning, it began to chant an ancient incantation — words Hans could not understand. The temperature dropped suddenly, and a cold wind began to swirl within the tomb. Hans felt the air grow heavy, and his breathing grew labored. He stumbled back, clutching at his chest, trying to draw in a breath that no longer seemed to come.
"What's happening?" Hans thought frantically. "Is he trying to suffocate me? What kind of power does he have?"
A dark, malevolent force pressed in on him, growing stronger with each passing moment. The wind howled louder, and Hans felt his body weakening. His limbs grew heavy, and his vision blurred.
"Let's wait for the boy to lose consciousness," a sinister voice whispered from within. "Then I will take full control of his body. His will will be crushed, and I will reign once more."
Hans could barely keep his eyes open, gasping for air. "Why bring me back only to kill me again?" he managed to whisper. "What's the point?"
The voice seemed to laugh darkly. "A fair question. You see, Hans, the reason I didn't claim your body immediately is that I knew you would resist. Your spirit is strong, and I needed fear — fear makes my power stronger. It's only when fear takes root that I can fully claim you as my own."
Hans gasped, still struggling to stay conscious. But then, something strange began to happen. A sensation he couldn't explain overtook him, something primal and fierce. He remembered something his late grandfather had once told him, a piece of wisdom from his childhood training: in times of desperation, when an enemy is too close, sometimes the key to survival is to target the enemy's throat.
But this wasn't a normal fight. His opponent wasn't physically in front of him. The evil that was trying to possess him was within him, a malevolent force pressing against his soul.
Despite the overwhelming pressure and his fading strength, Hans knew he had to try. With great effort, he reached up and gripped his own throat. He had no idea why or how, but his grandfather's words echoed in his mind: *"Strangle them before they strangle you."*
"What are you doing?!" the voice inside him growled, clearly surprised.
Hans could barely make a sound in response. "Grr... Nghhh..." He could feel the force inside him pushing harder, but his grip on his neck remained steady. The act of strangling himself wasn't rational, but somehow it began to feel right. The strange energy that had been building inside him surged, more intense than ever before. The evil presence inside him writhed, as if it was being pulled in every direction.
"What is this?" the voice inside him screamed, panicked. "This cannot be!"
But it was too late. The strange force inside Hans continued to grow, pushing back against the darkness that had tried to claim him. With a final, desperate push, Hans lost consciousness, and the demon lord's presence was consumed by the mysterious energy.
When Hans awoke, he was no longer in the tomb. The suffocating presence had vanished. The air was fresh and clean, and the oppressive darkness that had surrounded him seemed to lift. The Forest of Darkness, once twisted and tainted, was now vibrant with life once more. The evil that had haunted the tomb was gone.
Word of the event spread like wildfire across the Twelve Kingdoms. The ancient tomb of Demon Lord Marlic had been destroyed, and with it, the dark magic that had corrupted the land. The creatures of darkness had been freed, but no one could explain what had happened. The kingdoms were on high alert, sending knights to patrol the borders and prevent any of the monsters from causing harm.
In the distant Kingdom of Beldrim, inside a quiet cathedral, a young maiden named Catherine gazed out her window. Her eyes fixed on the direction of the Forest of Darkness, a look of curiosity in her eyes.
"Interesting," she murmured, sipping her tea thoughtfully.
Back in the ruins of the tomb, Hans awoke. His body was weak, but he pushed himself up, determined to find a way out. His muscles screamed in protest, but he stumbled toward the exit, feeling the cool air of the outside world beckoning him. As he stepped into the light, he paused. The world before him was so breathtakingly beautiful that he could scarcely believe it was real.
Hans had survived something no one else could fathom, and yet, there was so much more ahead of him in this strange new world. What had he just experienced? What had he become?
He had no answers, but one thing was certain — his journey was only just beginning.