As the Carrion Titan crumbled under the relentless assault, the battlefield erupted in triumphant cheers from the victorious knights. Zephyr, his face marked with a mix of exhaustion and determination, wasted no time issuing orders.
"Set the body ablaze! Reduce it to ashes!" Zephyr commanded, his voice piercing through the remnants of battle.
The knights, still buoyed by their triumph, promptly obeyed, igniting flames that consumed the monstrous carcass. The foul odor of burning flesh mixed with the sharp tang of victory.
Amidst the lingering tension, the distant sound of approaching hooves broke the post-battle silence. Raizer, his expression a blend of confusion and shock, arrived on the scene accompanied by three priests.
"What in blazes happened here?" Raizer's voice echoed with astonishment, mirroring the bewilderment in the priests' eyes.
"Took you quite a while," Zephyr remarked sarcastically.
"What went down?" Raizer pressed for answers.
"I'll fill you in later. For now, get those priests to start purifying the bodies in the village," Zephyr instructed tersely.
The priests commenced with the flames of Malachi, but this time, their purpose extended beyond halting reanimation. As the flames enveloped the bodies, a black smoke billowed forth, and the once-black blood of the corpses transformed into a deep shade of red.
The knights observed the ritual in astonishment. "Incredible! How did they manage that? Our attempts didn't yield the same results," one exclaimed.
"Because we operate differently," Zephyr clarified.
"If I may, sir, what exactly do you mean?" another knight inquired.
"What do I mean? Were you not taught anything before becoming a knight? fucking disappointing," Zephyr reprimanded.
The knight lowered his gaze in remorse. "I apologize, sir."
"Enough with the apologies! Listen up, all of you! Today's events highlight your inadequacies. Perhaps I've been too lenient. When we return, I'll ensure you all understand the consequences," Zephyr asserted firmly.
"And to address your inquiry," Zephyr elaborated, "the priests underwent training from the iron soul stage, honing their abilities to utilize their life force for healing and purifying. That's why their flame was effective while yours wasn't. It's imperative for all of you to acknowledge your shortcomings and strive for improvement."
Once the priests concluded their task, they arranged for the proper burial of the deceased within the city.
"Rizer, it's in your hands now. Give them a burial befitting their honor. I must attend the king's council," Zephyr conveyed with a weighty heart.
Chaos engulfed the castle, with knights darting in every direction. Once vibrant halls now echoed with despair rather than laughter and music. From the king's hall, a voice rang out, expressing disbelief at the village's annihilation.
"How could this happen? The entire village is gone," exclaimed Sir Eldric, his voice filled with fury.
"Please, Sir Eldric, try to remain calm," Varian, one of the king's councilors, urged.
"Calm down? How can I be calm when a village so close to our city is destroyed?" Eldric's voice thundered.
"I cannot fathom who would dare to commit such an act," pondered another council member.
"It's more than a mere bandit attack, that's for certain," Varian interjected, his tone heavy with foreboding.
Amidst the heated exchange, a commanding voice sliced through the air, commanding attention. "I urge you to cease this aimless speculation and refrain from making baseless assumptions." All eyes turned toward the speaker, none other than Vesper Bloodfang, the formidable leader of the Grave Walker's squad—the most revered and formidable of all the squads in the kingdom, answerable solely to the king.
A collective shock washed over the room; Vesper's sudden appearance, unnoticed until now, underscored his reputation as a master of stealth and strategy.
"You too, Vesper. What the hell is going on?" demanded one of the council members.
With a grand entrance, the hall door swung open, and a knight heralded the arrival of King Thorian. In his wake, Prince Roderick and Zephyr followed, each carrying an air of solemn determination. As the king took his seat upon the throne, a reverent hush fell over the assembly, and all the councilors bowed in deference, their heads bowed until the king had settled himself.
"Let us proceed without delay. Zephyr, reveal what happened at the village to them," the king commanded, his tone grave yet resolute.
With a solemn nod, Zephyr approached the orb at the center of the room, his hand resting upon its smooth surface. As the councilors watched with bated breath, Zephyr closed his eyes in concentration.
Eldric, still visibly shaken, questioned, "Commander, what do you intend to do?"
Zephyr replied, "You'll see."
As the councilors exchanged uncertain glances, Zephyr activated the orb. A holographic projection of the village, the chaos, and the Carrion Titan emerged in the center of the hall. Gasps echoed as the councilors watched the gruesome events unfold before their eyes.
"By the gods," Varian muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, his gaze fixed upon the harrowing scene.
King Thorian's countenance darkened as he observed the devastation laid bare before him. "Explain, Commander. What has befallen the village?"
Zephyr's words resonated through the hall, painting a vivid picture of the horrors witnessed in the village. With each detail recounted, the gravity of the situation became increasingly palpable, weighing heavily on the hearts of all present. The holographic scene played out before them, a chilling reminder of the threats looming beyond the safety of their walls.
As Zephyr concluded his narration, a heavy silence enveloped the room, the weight of the tragedy leaving the councilors speechless in its wake. Their minds raced with the implications of what they had witnessed, grappling with the enormity of the threat facing their kingdom.
It was King Thorian's voice that shattered the stillness, cutting through the tension with unwavering resolve. "I did not gather you all here for silence," he declared, his words carrying the weight of command and expectation.
Prince Roderick, unable to contain his curiosity, dared to speak up, his voice filled with an eagerness to understand. "If I may, father..."
But King Thorian's stern interruption cut through the prince's words like a blade through silence. "No, you may not," he declared firmly, his tone brooking no argument. "You are here solely to witness and nothing more. Observe in silence."
The councilors exchanged uneasy glances, understanding the severity of the situation. The king's decision to silence his own son spoke volumes about the gravity of the matters at hand, emphasizing the need for caution and discretion. With bated breath, they awaited the king's next move, unsure of what revelations awaited them.
With a sense of purpose, King Thorian rose from his throne and strode purposefully towards the center of the room. "Zephyr, play it back," he ordered, his voice commanding and authoritative.
"The attackers did not come from the sea," the king declared firmly, his words echoing with authority. "Our sea patrols would have discovered it. This magic and the signs of the circles are not recognizable."
"I do not think this was an attack orchestrated by someone from our kingdom," Zephyr stated, his tone somber and contemplative.
"What makes you say that?" Varian inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"In my 30 years of battle experience, I have never witnessed an attack like this. Deformed bodies and necromancy? I do not believe it originates from this world either," Zephyr explained, his expression grave and serious.
As the scenes of the battle replayed, the king observed with a discerning eye, his gaze scanning the holographic projection with intense focus, searching for any clues that might shed light on the origin of this mysterious threat.
A silence settled over the room once again, but this time, it was broken by Vesper.
"What if it's not from our world?" he proposed, his voice cutting through the weighty atmosphere like a knife through butter.
As the scenes of the battle replayed, the king observed with a discerning eye. A hushed utterance escaped his lips, almost a whisper that reverberated through the room.
"Stygian,"
The councilors exchanged bewildered glances, the weight of the word "Stygian" hanging in the air.
"What did the king say?"
"Did he just say Stygian?"
"But the holes were sealed a long time ago."
Zephyr acted quickly, commanding, "All of you, shut up!" He kneeled before the king and said, "My king, no, brother. The Stygian Depths was closed long ago, ever since our grandfather's time. We haven't heard anything from there."
Vesper also kneeled and said, "My liege, if I may. I also think it's impossible, but if it's the case, I am at your disposal."
Soon, all the councilors kneeled as they understood the urgency of the situation, requiring swift action.
"We need to devise a plan. Get me a map of the kingdom," the king commanded.
"Zephyr, you said that you searched the area around the village?" the king asked.
"Yes, but we did not find anything," Zephyr replied.
"And the villages close to the hunter village—has any attack occurred?" the king inquired.
"No, sir," Zephyr confirmed.
"If it was a normal attack, it would at least leave a trace," the king reasoned.
"My liege, if I may," Varian interjected, his voice steady amid the rising tension, "consider this: if the attack originated from Stygian Depths, it implies a level of stealth and unpredictability beyond our current comprehension. They opened a portal, struck swiftly, and vanished without a trace. Waiting for them to strike again may be our only viable course of action."
The council chamber fell into a stunned silence, the weight of Varian's words settling heavily upon the assembled advisors. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the room as the gravity of the situation sank in.
"Are you suggesting we simply sit and wait for our enemies to come to us?" one councilor retorted incredulously.
Varian remained composed, his gaze steady as he addressed the dissenting voices. "Not merely wait, but prepare. We must fortify our defenses, heighten our surveillance, and anticipate their next move. Only then can we hope to thwart their plans."
"Alright, here's the plan," the king declared, his voice firm and authoritative. "We'll mobilize our scouts and hunters, stationing them strategically throughout the forest. Additionally, we'll establish camps at key locations within the forest to serve as our outposts and keep a vigilant watch."
Zephyr, ever the vigilant commander, stepped forward with a suggestion. "My king, may I propose that we dispatch teams to each of the kingdom's cities? We'll bolster patrols around their perimeters to ensure the safety of our citizens."
The king nodded in approval. "A prudent measure," he acknowledged. "Teams will be sent to Poliper, Pinus, Kastania, and Margautus. It's imperative that we establish a swift line of communication between these cities, our forest camps, and our central command."
Zephyr raised another query, his mind focused on securing every possible avenue of defense. "What about maritime security, my liege? Shall we dispatch ships to patrol the kingdom's coastal waters?"
The king considered the suggestion before offering his response. "No need for ships at this time," he decided. "Our knights will maintain a watchful eye over the coast, ensuring that our maritime borders remain secure."
The king's gaze then shifted to Vesper, his tone resolute. "Gather your squad, Vesper. I want them deployed to every camp and patrol post throughout the forest. Zephyr, I expect only the elite knights, fully equipped with Pyroguard, to be stationed at these camps."
Next, the king directed his attention to Prince Roderick, entrusting him with a critical task. "Roderick, you'll work with Varian to oversee the supply lines. Ensure that our provisions of food and water flow swiftly and accurately between the forest teams, the camps, and the cities."
In conclusion, the king emphasized the urgency of the situation. "Time is of the essence, my comrades. The safety of our kingdom hangs in the balance. May the gods watch over each and every one of you as we embark on this crucial endeavor."
In the bustling central square, bathed in the warm glow of the midday sun, the town crier's voice resonated once more, heralding the latest decrees from the royal proclamation.
"Attention, citizens of the realm!" The crier's words cut through the tense atmosphere, addressing the aftermath of recent events. "With the dawn comes not only the light of day but also the weight of recent turmoil. In response to the recent attack, the king has issued new mandates for the safety and security of our kingdom."
The crier continued, outlining the key points of the royal decree:
Curfew Exceptions: "Exceptions to the evening curfew shall be granted to those on essential duties, such as the royal guard, medical practitioners, and messengers of the crown. Authorization scrolls must be visible when traversing the streets during restricted hours."
Reporting Unusual Activity: "It is the duty of every citizen to report any unusual or suspicious activity promptly. The Crown values the eyes and ears of its people in maintaining the peace we hold dear."
Enhanced Patrols: "The royal guard shall intensify their patrols throughout the kingdom, ensuring the safety of our citizens. Cooperation with the guards during inspections is not just requested but mandatory."
Temporary Market Adjustments: "To facilitate security checks, the market square shall close fifteen minutes earlier than the curfew. All merchants are requested to cooperate with guards during inspections."
The crier concluded with a note of reassurance, urging unity in the face of adversity. "Though these measures may seem stringent, they serve as the shield protecting the jewel of our kingdom. Let them be a symbol of our resilience in challenging times. Long live the king, long live the kingdom!" With a renewed sense of purpose, the crowd dispersed, ready to uphold the laws and safeguard their homeland.