With a heavy heart and a newfound sense of purpose, Alaric set about the somber task of gathering the bodies of his fallen villagers. The once lively streets of Verindale now lay silent and desolate, a haunting reminder of the tragedy that had befallen them.
Alaric's hands trembled as he gently lifted each fallen villager, placing them side by side in a solemn row. His parents, Garrick and Elara, were among them, their faces serene in death but bearing the scars of their final moments.
Tears streamed down Alaric's face as he dug graves for his loved ones. The earth felt heavy and cold beneath his fingers, a cruel contrast to the warmth they had once shared. He whispered prayers and farewells, promising to honor their memories and seek justice for their untimely end.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a soft golden light over the graves, Alaric knelt beside his parents' resting place. The evening breeze carried a melancholic tune, a lament for the lives lost and the innocence shattered.
"I will not disturb your slumber," Alaric whispered to them, his voice tinged with sorrow and determination. "Rest peacefully, knowing that your sacrifices will not be in vain."
With a heavy heart but a resolute spirit, Alaric returned to the village, leaving the fallen villagers to their eternal rest. The night air was heavy with grief and uncertainty, yet amidst the darkness, a flicker of resolve burned within him.
Alaric's path was now clear—he would carry on the legacy of Verindale, seek justice for the fallen, and confront the darkness that lurked in the shadows. But before he could embark on his journey of vengeance, he needed to come to terms with his newfound powers and the responsibilities they entailed.
Under the cover of night, Alaric ventured outside the village, to a secluded spot where he could commune with the darkness undisturbed. He carried with him the knowledge of necromancy, ancient and forbidden, whispered to him by the dark forces that now coursed through his veins.
With a deep breath, Alaric prepared to perform the rites of necromancy, to awaken the fallen villagers and bend them to his will. The air grew charged with anticipation, and Alaric felt the power of death and rebirth surge within him, ready to unleash its terrible beauty upon the world.