In the small village of Suri, Ella, Kal's adoptive mother, was hanging clothes on an improvised clothesline outside when her two legitimate children arrived home from school, 10-year-old Inala and her older brother Sin, who was 12. Sin was more focused, carrying several books and scrolls under his arm, presenting himself in a serious and studious way as always. Inala arrived laughing and excited, with a big smile on her childish face.
When she saw her mother, Inala ran in her direction for a warm hug. "Mom, you'll never guess what happened at school today!" she said, excited. Sin approached in a more restrained way. "Good afternoon, mother. I brought my homework to show you." Ella received the children with affection, satisfied to see them well and healthy after another day of studies. Only Kal, her oldest adopted son, was missing.
Ella was anxiously awaiting news of Kal. It had already been two months since she had received letters from her adopted son, who had left to study at the renowned Imperial Academy of Alnuum. Kal's letters usually arrived weekly, full of animated accounts of his studies, new friends and his explorations around the capital. His sudden lack of communication worried Ella more and more. While talking to Inala and Sin, she couldn't hide the apprehension in her gaze. What could have happened for Kal to suddenly stop writing? Some illness? Problems at the academy? Or something even worse, amid the tense political situation in the kingdom due to the growth of darkness under Morfrey's rule?
Ella trusted that Kal was quite responsible, but she couldn't help feeling a bad omen. She knew how curious and courageous the boy was, sometimes too much for his own good. She just hoped he was well, and that the silence would soon be explained. Every night before going to sleep in her prayers, Ella asked the same god who protected her and Kal when they escaped from Tenai to continue protecting them all, along with her small children.
As every afternoon, Professor Hugh was at Ella's house helping Sin and Inala with their lessons. Over the past few months, he had formed strong bonds of trust with the family, taking on the guardian role left by Tiberius when he took Kal to Alnuum. Nightfall was approaching when people began running to Ella's house crying in terror. They said that black knights had been sighted in the village. Alarmed, Ella went out to ask what was happening.
That's when she saw Han Umbridge, the village leader, accompanied by three men in heavy black armor, wielding swords. There was something strange about Han's gaze, as if under some dark magical influence. He pointed in Ella's house's direction, indicating to the knights where she lived. Hugh stood in front of Inala and Sin, while Ella asked fearfully:
"What does this mean, Han? Why are you helping these men?"
A twisted smile appeared on Han's face.
"Surrender yourself, Ella. You and your children's fate now belongs to the Death King."
Hugh felt the sinister mana emanating from the knights and understood they faced black magic. He asked Ella to flee into the forest with the children, while he stayed behind to delay the invaders.
"Speed is essential. Take Sin and Inala and do not stop until you find shelter," Hugh said determinedly.
The knights advanced laughing, thinking the mage would be easy prey. But Hugh tossed hands, manipulating the wind and creating spheres of fire. A dome of air and flames enveloped the three men, stunning them. Ella ran into the forest carrying the children, looking back in fear. Hugh kept the knights occupied with his magic, buying time for them to escape. A cutting gust knocked down one knight, while the other two tried in vain to free themselves from the dome.
Hugh had managed to fulfill his mission of protecting the family, even though he knew from then on he would have the servants of darkness on his trail. His skills would not be enough to deter such a threat for long. The tension was growing in the forest. When Hugh thought he had defeated the Black Knights, Arnon emerged among the trees, in his black priestly robes. With a gesture, he annulled the magic of the fire dome, freeing the invaders.
"Arise, worms. Follow the woman and children. I will kill this damned one," commanded Arnon.
Hugh then recognized the former divine priest of the Cathedral.
"Master Tiberius distrusted you. He said there were shadows in your spirit. Now I see he was right."
An intense battle began between the mage and the priest. Arnon manipulated powerful darkness, while Hugh made wind and flames dance according to his hands. The attacks were lethal, but Arnon seemed to have greater control over the dark arts. Hugh knew it was only a matter of time before he was defeated, but he would continue fighting to give Ella and the children a chance to flee far from there. His wish was that at least they could escape with their lives. Alnuum's fate already seemed sealed under the darkness.
Despair was growing in Ella's heart. Cornered on the cliff with the children, she slowly saw the Knights approaching. She knew any escape attempt would result in death in the fall from that tall cliff. When the knights cornered them, Ella screamed: "Stay away from my children you monsters!". And grabbing a piece of wood she ran against one of them who just struck her down to the ground. That's when Inala, so young, began to glow supernaturally.
A majestic blue aura emanated from her body, while her eyes took on a celestial glow. With a gesture, the girl stretched out her hand and a deafening roar came from her mouth: "Back off!". An overwhelming wave of mana exploded from the small body, tearing off half the trunk of a black knight, who collapsed dead. Ella and Sin retreated, astonished by the girl's power. Since she was little, signs that she was special had appeared. But nothing compared to what they witnessed.
The other knights trembled before the child with the gift of ancestral magic. The scene was desperate. Suddenly, Arnon emerged from the thicket, seeing what remained of that battle. Ella lay unconscious on the ground under the weight of the curse cast from afar. Inala lay exhausted in Sin's arms, after displaying an ancestral power admirable for her age. Arnon just smiled with satisfaction. Finally, his goal had been achieved. He had captured the family the Death King so wanted.
Sin tried in vain to defend his sister and mother, but he was too young and fragile. He saw them being carried away in a cage, as Arnon gave orders for them to be taken to the capital Alnuum. Defeated, the boy wept in despair, calling out for Kal. Would this be the end of his beloved family in the hands of demons? Only fate could say if there was still any salvation in the face of those overwhelming dark forces.
The situation in Alnuum was growing darker. Under the domination of darkness, the population cried out for an end to this insanity. The terrifying Cult of Death, led by Morfrey and his black priests, had an increasing number of followers seduced by promises of power and prosperity. Terrible demonic rituals with countless human sacrifices were openly performed in the central square, under the frightened gaze of citizens.
The great capital of the Nannu empire, once bathed by the sacred waters of the Nuumea river, was weakening amid the rottenness of destruction and death. Its tributaries dried up, and the waters that still resisted were poisoned by decomposing bodies, a clear sign that the legendary magical springs of the city were losing their strength. Morfrey now freely manipulated the nefarious energies that enslaved the population in terror. Under his yoke, Alnuum plunged into total chaos, awaiting only a hero capable of liberating it from this endless nightmare.
Relon, Lilla, Suzannah, the students and a few surviving rebels were hiding in the ancient dungeons under the Felwave Mansion, the ancestral noble house. Since the cultists took over their former refuge, it was the only safe place left. A dim torchlight illuminated the tired faces of the warriors. All waited in silence for the orders of the new leader, Relon, crowned "King of Waters" by the rebels, as the first hero had done ages ago.
"My friends, our struggle seems lost," Relon said sadly. "But there is still a chance. In these dungeons we keep secret maps of the castle, which my ancestors used in past battles."
He unfolded an ancient parchment, revealing numerous tunnels and hidden rooms under the royal palace.
"If we can cross them tonight and reach the royal armory, we can recover the relics of our first hero: the spear Wavebringer and the chest plate Leviathan. With them in our hands, we will face Morfrey as equals!"
Relon and his group of rebels followed the secret tunnels under the castle, lighting the way with torches. After a long time, they reached a partially obscured exit covered in brambles. Relon peeked discreetly and spotted the internal courtyard of the castle, illuminated only by moonlight. That's when he saw a group of black priests pushing a large iron cage. Inside, he recognized with surprise Ella, Inala and Sin from the village of Suri. He remembered seeing them at Kal's ceremony at the Academy, before everything went wrong. "They are Kal's family!" he whispered.
"Our plans have changed. Before proceeding, we will rescue this family in the name of my absent friend."
Lilla, who was next to Relon, harbored strong feelings for Kal. "I can go look for news about his whereabouts."
"How? You don't even know where he is, he must be miles away from here!" Relon asked.
"Suzannah was close to Kal, she must know how to track his spiritual energy!" Lilla retorted.
Relon nodded. He and the rebels immediately returned to the dungeons to meet with Suzannah who was still studying a way to counter those absolute dark forces. Back there, they all gathered:
"Can you track Kal, Suzannah?" Relon asked.
"I was close to his spirit, I got to know his characteristics well!" said the Red Queen.
"A while ago I felt a mana signature similar to Kal's to the northeast of here, it disappeared quickly, I didn't say anything because it seemed to me that he had been killed!"
At that moment Lilla clenched her fists and trembled a little after hearing Suzannah. She said:
"He is not dead!"
Clara, who was also very close to Kal, placed her hand on Lilla's shoulder and nodded, saying:
"He is not dead!"
Relon then decided to send Lilla and Clara in search of Kal, Suzannah gave them approximate coordinates and the two set off on their way. For him it was better that only a few people went so as not to draw the attention of Morfrey's dark servants. Relon then decided that he himself would go to the castle, but this time it was to rescue his friend's mother and siblings. It would be a difficult mission without alerting the guards, but Relon felt Kal would approve of this gesture in the name of friendship. The relics would have to wait - the priority now was to save the endangered family.
Lilla and Clara stealthily followed the streets of Alnuum toward the gates, under the dim light of the stars. The once vibrant city was now swallowed by the silence of death. Suddenly, a black figure appeared before them, hovering a few centimeters above the ground. His eyes shone blood red and an evil smile formed on his lips.
"Where do you think you're going, children?" His voice was a chilling hiss.
"This is the realm of darkness now!"
Lilla drew her quick sword. Clara prepared her spells.
"Step on the Waters!" - Lilla whispered and small puddles of water began to form around the enemy. Clara attacked - "Magic Missile!" - a burst of mana came from her hands, hitting the target. Still, the creature moved nimbly over the water, advancing. Lilla climbed onto the puddles and began slicing the air, her blade reflecting the silver magic. Clara raised mana barriers to protect her friend. Lilla's blows were becoming increasingly precise, to the sound of hooves crunching on the water. Until, with a final thrust, she pierced the demon's heart, and it disappeared in a cloud of smoke. The two looked at each other, panting, proceeding more alertly toward the exit.
Relon carefully studied his next steps.
"We have little time before being discovered," he spoke softly to his allies.
"Let Arphaxad go alone to the armory rooms. There you will find the relics."
Arphaxad nodded, preparing for the solo mission.
"As for us, creating a diversion is the best strategy. We will rescue that family and cause an uproar, diverting attention," decided Relon.
The priests were guarding the cage nearby. Relon readied his short sword as the other rebels drew swords and daggers. In a whisper, Relon counted: "One, two, three... NOW!" They advanced stealthily, knocking out the guards before they realized. Relon opened the cage.
"Come with us if you want to live!" he called softly.
Ella and the children seemed confused but nodded. They slipped through the dark corridors, with only Relon as their guide for escape. They hoped the noise of battle would provide enough distraction for Arphaxad to find what he was looking for unnoticed. At the moment they thought they would succeed, howls and growls were heard in the shadows. Morfrey's undead surrounded Relon's group. They were innumerable, skeletons and decomposing corpses moving with cruelty under the spell of darkness.
The rebels tried to fight, but were at a disadvantage. They saw Ella and the children being dragged back into the cage as their bodies were lacerated by foul claws. Relon brandished his sword bravely, but a blow from a rusty mace pierced through his ribs. He fell, mortally wounded. Arthan, son of Marcus, ran to save him, dragging him away from the massacre. With regret he saw that only he and the wounded Relon remained in that deadly ambush. The leader breathed with difficulty, blood gushing from his mouth. Arthan needed to get him out of there before they were also reached.
Lilla and Clara followed the forest path, exhausted but still with hope. Upon spotting lights from a village in the distance, they decided they could find allies there. As they approached, Lilla recognized the place, it was the quiet Fox Village. She also remembered that it was there Suzannah had sensed her friend's power days before. Meanwhile, back in the dungeons, Arthan had managed to bring the injured Relon. The rebel priests fought to save him. But they could do nothing for Arphaxad, who had disappeared in the chaotic invasion.
A silent mourning filled the hideout. More companions had fallen fighting the darkness. The resistance was at its lowest point, without any sign of Kal or the sacred relics. Would this be the end of freedom in these lands? Hope was all Lilla and Clara had left on their journey, hoping to find answers in the village and plan new ways to face the dominant evil.