As Alaric surveyed his newly awakened undead army, his keen eyes noticed something peculiar. Among the spectral figures stood a few villagers who retained a semblance of intelligence—a spark of awareness that set them apart from the rest.
Approaching them, Alaric recognized faces he had known in life—individuals who had shown exceptional courage or cunning. They had been chosen by the dark magic that animated them, granted a sliver of their former selves in this undead existence.
"Finn," Alaric called out, spotting his childhood friend among the intelligent undead. Finn's eyes met Alaric's, and a flicker of recognition passed between them.
"Alaric," Finn responded, his voice hollow yet tinged with a trace of emotion. "I remember... I remember everything."
Alaric nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. Finn had not only been resurrected but retained his intelligence and memories, a rare occurrence among the undead.
"And who is this?" Alaric asked, gesturing towards a figure that stood apart from the rest—a ghoul, its form twisted and grotesque, yet its eyes gleaming with a cunning intelligence.
"This is Gideon," Finn explained. "He was a skilled hunter in life, and now, as a ghoul, his instincts are sharper than ever."
Gideon nodded in acknowledgment, a feral grin crossing his undead visage. Alaric sensed potential in the ghoul—a ruthless efficiency that could prove invaluable in their endeavors.
With his chosen ones gathered around him, Alaric outlined their mission. They were to scout the nearby villages and cities, seeking out the living to add to their ranks. Their goal was twofold—gather more undead to bolster their army and sow fear and chaos among the living.
The intelligent undead nodded in understanding, their loyalty to Alaric unwavering. They set out under the cover of night, disappearing into the shadows with silent purpose.
Alaric watched them go, a sense of grim determination settling over him. The Necromancer of Verindale had assembled a formidable force, one that would strike fear into the hearts of their enemies and pave the way for his revenge.
As he turned to leave, Alaric couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope. With Finn, Gideon, and the other chosen ones by his side, he knew that they stood a chance—not just to survive in this dark world, but to thrive and carve out a new destiny amidst the chaos of death and undeath.