("To truly heal, we must face the shadows that haunt us. For in the depths of darkness, we find the strength to rise and the light to guide us towards a brighter future.")
Narrator's POV
Mark decided not to proceed with the capture of Kali, now that she was a queen. He and Eavan returned to Skyhill and convened with the Elders of the Roekel Clan.
"Where is the Rogue?" the Headmaster inquired of Eavan and Mark.
"We did not pursue the Rogue as it seemed doubtful we could succeed," Mark calmly replied.
"What do you mean?" asked one of the Elders.
"The Rogue is now the Queen of Zephyrthorn, sibling to King Michael whom they believed to be deceased," Mark explained.
Surprise and shock swept through the elders at Mark's revelation.
"Shadlok! This is an outrage! Why would they make a Rogue a queen!" the Headmaster exclaimed in anger.
"We should inform Pyroterra and seek their guidance as Queen Antonia must handle this matter due to it involving another kingdom," suggested one of the elders.
"But we might face consequences if we do so," countered another elder.
"It is only right to inform Pyroterra and seek forgiveness, as Queen Antonia is better equipped to handle an inter-kingdom issue," Mark proposed.
The elders agreed with Mark's suggestion, while Headmaster Dean remained deep in thought, furrowing his brow and clenching his fists.
"What should we do about the suspicious individuals lurking near Skyhill?" another elder redirected the conversation.
Mark then turned to the elder who raised the question and inquired, "May I know what transpired while Eavan and I were absent?"
The Elder nodded, providing insight, "During your absence, we observed suspicious individuals circling Skyhill. Despite being unable to enter without invitation or being recognized by the Temple's defenses, we remain concerned for the disciples' safety."
"The Demons," Eavan stated, prompting a heavy silence to fall in the room.
"What do you mean, Eavan?" Mark asked, filled with worry.
"While at Aelrock Village, we encountered Demons seeking Caden and claiming responsibility for the Dark Beam Incident," Eavan explained in a monotone voice.
"Why didn't you mention this earlier?!" Mark's disbelief was evident, but Eavan remained silent, gazing at him coldly.
The Headmaster contemplated silently before speaking, "If indeed Demons are lurking around Skyhill, it poses a significant issue." He then took a deep breath, "Mark, send a letter to the Pyroterra Kingdom and cease missions for now. Ensure Caden has constant protection."
Turning to the Elders, the Headmaster continued, "I will utilize the Mofena. I have been channeling my mana into it, which weakened me during the Rogue encounter."
"But aren't all Mofenas destroyed except for the four gems?" Mark questioned.
"Not quite. I managed to retrieve a Mofena back then, the Celestial Star Orb," the Headmaster revealed.
"The Celestial Star Orb?!" Mark exclaimed, his eyes wide with astonishment.
Mark pondered silently, recalling the orb's significance and power from ancient texts, "Crafted from a fallen star fragment, imbued with celestial energy, the Celestial Star Orb is a potent artifact capable of combating darkness. Its brilliant light banishes shadows, its divine energy heals wounds, and its celestial power dispels curses."
With a determined gaze, Headmaster Dean declared, "If we reach a point where facing the demons becomes challenging, I will utilize the Mofena to ensure our safety."
The group unanimously agreed with the Headmaster's decision, and the meeting concluded. Mark set out to draft the letter for the fiery Queen, while Eavan embarked on a search for Caden. He scoured the area and eventually found Caden by the pond at the rear of the Temple, deep in contemplation.
Quietly approaching Caden, who remained unaware of his presence, Eavan's icy stare focused on the key in Caden's hand, a key he observed with a solemn expression.
"That's a new key?" Eavan remarked. Startled, Caden jumped slightly and turned to face Eavan, his eyes wide with surprise.
"Oh my goodness!" Caden gasped, one hand against his chest.
"That's a new key," Eavan repeated, prompting Caden to explain.
"Kali gave it to me that night when you and the First Master ambushed him," Caden spoke solemnly.
Surprised by this revelation, Eavan maintained his cold demeanor, concealing his shock as he gazed pensively at the moonlit pond. His mind drifted back to that day.
=FLASHBACK=
"You're welcome, Cay," Kali replied. The moment of gratitude was short-lived as a flash of metal caught Kali's attention, leading him to swiftly push Caden away from the oncoming attacker wielding a sword.
Confusion etched on his face, Kali whispered, "Eavan?" trying to comprehend the unfolding situation.
As Eavan advanced with a moonlit robe and divine sword, Kali evaded his strikes, unsettled by Eavan's icy determination.
Unleashing his power, Kali cast a spell, "Ventus Eruptio, Tempestas Vehementis!" A fierce wind surged towards Eavan, who formed a "Sacred Barrier" in response, enveloping himself in a golden light. To Kali's astonishment, the attack rebounded, striking him forcefully and propelling him into a tree with a painful crash.
"Ahhh!" Kali cried out in agony, while Caden, taken aback, was about to intervene when guided by someone restraining him.
"First Master?" Caden exclaimed in astonishment.
Eavan swiftly approached Kali, initiating his spell, "Chain of the Divine!" Golden chains materialized, binding Kali and draining his strength, rendering him helpless. As Kali's tear-filled eyes met Eavan's gaze, a sense of resignation enveloped him.
=END OF FLASHBACK=
"I know that Kali didn't mean to cause harm here in Skyhill. He was consumed by darkness due to what he endured, and I understand his anger," Caden expressed, his focus on the silver key in his hand.
Eavan's stance stiffened upon hearing Caden's words. His frosty gaze turned solemn as he muttered, "I am responsible for his suffering. I defiled him."
"And... I... I can't help but feel remorse that our friendship was severed right when it was flourishing," Caden shared brokenly, tears welling in his eyes, haunted by Kali's words.
=FLASHBACK=
"Kali, what you did is still wrong! You vowed never to succumb to darkness or malice, yet here you stand! You are proving that those like you deserve retribution!" Caden's lament resonated with the weight of regret, realizing the impact of his actions, too late to reverse.
"People like me?" Kali's bitter tone reverberated, his laughter tinged with bitterness, sending a shiver down their spines.
"Don't judge me on how I should respond! Do not condemn the oppressed for seeking justice and self-preservation!" Kali's fury erupted, confronting the accusations with pent-up anger.
Before Kali could continue, a surge of flame energy sent him soaring, with Queen Antonia acknowledging the distraction with approval.
Caden locked eyes with Kali, reflecting hurt and betrayal.
=END OF FLASHBACK=
"You too, Cay? You've betrayed me, just like Eavan," Kali's shattered voice echoed continuously in Caden's mind. Shaken, he hugged himself, overwhelmed by guilt.
"I never meant to cause him harm," Caden whispered, biting his lip.
Both trapped in a web of guilt for their actions towards the Silver-Haired figure who once stood as their companion and friend. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Zephyrthorn, after the coronation ceremony, the guests departed. Kali's gown shimmered under the moonlight streaming through the window, highlighting his ethereal beauty, while the crown adorning his head gleamed with authority and elegance.
"Brother, I shall retire to my chambers now. Let's continue our discussions tomorrow, for I'm weary," Kali stated, his exhaustion palpable in his voice.
"In that case, I bid you good night, brother," Michael smiled with fondness towards his younger sibling, placing a kiss on his forehead before departing.
Unbeknownst to Kali, he stood frozen after Michael's departure. Wrapping his arms around himself, lost in thought, Kali later found himself standing before the Temple of their revered Goddess, Sylphira. Entering the Temple, Kali beheld the massive statue of the Goddess at the far end, radiating an imposing presence.
Kneeling in prayer before the Goddess, Kali sought guidance, pleading that his past struggles would not hinder his reign over Zephyrthorn. With a hopeful whisper, Kali entreated, "May you hear my prayer, Goddess Sylphira."
Intently gazing at the Goddess statue, a cool breeze enveloped Kali, prompting him to swiftly glance back, his silver eyes aloof.
"Requip: Shadow Reaper Armor," Kali invoked, engulfed in a luminous silver light that faded to reveal him no longer in his gown but adorned in an imposing armor.
The Shadow Reaper Armor exuded an ominous essence, crafted from obsidian-like plates that absorbed light, creating an aura of darkness around the wearer. The armor's angular design resembled midnight black crystals, evoking a sense of foreboding elegance. Adorning the helm was a thorn-like crown, fashioned from shadowy metal, exuding a sinister charm that accentuated the wearer's aura of mystery and strength.
Mounted on the armor were shadowy wings, ethereal yet deadly, symbolizing the wearer's command over shadows and darkness. Functioning like extensions of the wearer's being, the wings fluttered with a deadly grace, their movement casting eerie shadows that danced on the ground.
"Shadowstep." Utilizing the power of the Shadow Reaper Armor, Kali melded with the shadows, cloaking his presence.
Soon, a striking woman entered the scene, adorned with goat-like horns atop her head that caught Kali's attention before anything else.
"A demon?" Kali's mind race with confusion, questioning the unexpected visitor's presence.
"Shadow Whisper: Show Yourself," the woman softly spoke.
Feeling his spell wane, Kali confronted the woman with a steely gaze. With authority, he inquired, "What is a demon doing in my kingdom?"
Locking eyes with Kali, the woman confirmed his suspicions. Phina Nightshade bore a resemblance to her mother, exuding a dark allure reminiscent of the Temptress of Shadows. Her ebony hair cascaded in captivating waves, framing a hauntingly beautiful face. Eyes of deep amethyst glowed with hidden power, her alabaster skin radiating an unearthly glow.
"Ensnaring Shadows," Phina muttered, commanding the shadows to ensnare Kali. Swiftly evading the attack, Kali countered with his Voidblade Scythe, creating a Void Rift that banished the tendrils into a realm of darkness, neutralizing her threat.
"You possess remarkable power" Kali remarked wryly, meeting Phina's gaze with resolve.
"Declare your intentions! Why have you come here?!" Kali demanded, his voice tinged with authority.
"I do not answer to your commands," Phina retorted coolly, casting "Veil of Illusion."
Enveloped in an illusion, Phina manipulated reality, distorting perception and creating a deceptive mirage. The Veil of Illusion spell granted her control over what her targets saw and heard, entwining their senses in a web of confusion. The Temple's surroundings shifted under the spell, leaving Kali in realization of Phina's manipulation.
With a trembling voice, Kali muttered, "This... this is..."
As Kali surveyed the altered environment, a heavy feeling surged through his heart. He found himself in Frostpeak Mountain, a sense of familiarity creeping over him. Proceeding cautiously, he kept his guard up, searching for Phina. His path led him to a massive stone wall under siege by multiple vampires, their numbers multiplying rapidly, intensifying their siege.
"Why such numbers?" a voice questioned.
"Only ten Rogue Vampires were reported, how did they multiply?" another voice pondered.
"It appears they have succeeded in summoning," a familiar voice remarked.
"And why attack us now?" another voice queried.
"D-Dave?" Kali stuttered, witnessing the vampires' relentless assault on the stone barrier. Reacting swiftly, he leaped into action with a roar, "Dark Embrace!"
Channeling the power of the Voidblade Scythe, Kali released shadowy tendrils that ensnared the vampires, draining their life force and weakening them. With unparalleled speed and determination, he engaged the vampires, striking them with lethal precision, cloaked in the blood of his foes. Slicing through the stone barrier with his scythe, it crumbled under his relentless assault, shifting the scene to the Zephyrthorn balcony from three years prior.
Kali's anguished cry for his mother pierced the air, a raw expression of torment and desperation as tragedy unfolded before him.
"K-Kali, r-run," his mother's quivering voice urged, suffused with love and fear. Despite the impending darkness, Kali sought to shield his mother, a heart-wrenching attempt at protection.
"No, no, I can't," his desolate voice cracked, each denial reflecting his shattered resolve.
"Please, Kali, please," his mother implored, her plea fragile amidst impending loss. The past Kali's gaze locked with the embodiment of hatred, his silver eyes ablaze with fervor.
"K-Kali?" his mother faltered, her voice threaded with despair.
Overwhelmed by emotions, tears streamed down Kali's cheeks as he relived his nightmare in physical form.
"Arrghhhh!!!" Kali's anguished cry echoed, demanding, "Phina, show yourself, do not cower!"
"If that's the case, then this is the deepest pain you're concealing, Queen Kali," Phina remarked, a hint of amusement in her tone.
The present Kali observed as the past Kali and his deceased mother distorted and faded, vanishing from the balcony. A taunting laughter echoed in the sky, ridiculing Kali's vulnerable state, fueling his anger at being manipulated with his own pain.
"Requip." With a heavy heart, Kali muttered, his form glowing brightly. When the light subsided, he was no longer clad in armor but in a thin robe.
"Are you planning to spend the night here?" Phina's mocking voice pierced the silence as she appeared on the opposite end of the balcony. Kali's body trembled slightly, followed by a weary and broken laugh.
"Have you lost your mind witnessing your deepest anguish?" Phina taunted sarcastically.
"Mad?" Kali murmured audibly, raising his head to reveal his silver eyes now glowing scarlet, conveying an eerie determination.
A surge of crimson energy emanated from Kali, casting a dark violet magic circle beneath him as dark tentacles enveloped his form, instilling fear in Phina by the display of immense power.
"If you want to play, then let's both enjoy the game," Kali spoke coldly, his voice resonating powerfully, "ESSENCE DOMINATION MAGIC; DEMON FORM: THE TEMPTRESS OF SHADOWS, HARRIET NIGHTSHADE."
The utterance of the name left Phina bewildered, recognizing the identity of the powerful being before her.
As Kali underwent his transformation, a veil of energy engulfed him, each shift in his appearance a blend of beauty and darkness that captivated Phina's gaze.
His features altered, with sharper cheekbones casting shadows on his ethereal face. His lips curved into a sly smile, exuding knowledge and power. Crimson eyes now burned with intensity, framed by dark lashes hinting at ancient magic and forbidden desires. His once silver hair transformed to flowing ebony strands, cascading like rivers of shadows.
Transcending mortal beauty, Kali emerged as Harriet, embodying dark allure and seduction. Standing at the pinnacle of light and shadow, her presence commanded reverence with unmatched power and beauty.
Harriet, Kali's demoness form, bore a striking resemblance to Phina's appearance, exuding an enchanting darkness that mirrored the beauty and allure of the Temptress of Shadows.
"Mom?" Phina stumbled over her words as she faced the woman who raised her.
"A mother for a mother," Kali declared solemnly.
With a look of disbelief etched on Phina's face, she stammered, "H-how..c-can this happen?"
Harriet tilted her head, amused at Phina's bewildered expression.
"Let's play a game, my lovely daughter," Harriet stated with a feigned endearing tone and vanished into thin air, leaving Phina in a frantic search.
Phina's spell remained intact, creating a detailed illusion of the Zephyrthorn kingdom. Harriet reappeared in the Main City and summoned the Kalist, a floating entity shrouded in thick black smoke, its pages turning automatically to provide Harriet with her desired spell.
"Vox Silente, Silentium Absolutum," Harriet cast with a velvet tone.
An explosion of crackling crimson energy engulfed the entire kingdom, leaving Phina once again bewildered by the display of unimaginable power. Standing at the palace gate, she observed the eerie silence enveloping the surroundings, unable to hear any noise. Even as she stomped on the ground, no sound echoed from her actions, instilling fear in her heart.
"Mother!" Phina called out in distress, her expression wrought with fear. Despite her demonic nature, Phina couldn't shake off the sense of dread. Descending towards Aerilonia, the kingdom's main city, she traversed the foggy streets, her senses on high alert, aware of being watched.
Atop a building, Harriet observed Phina's cautious descent, glancing at the Kalist floating nearby, revealing a page with a dark spell.
With determination, Harriet began to chant the incantation in her velvet tone, "From the seat of venom and cursed blight, I call forth a hex, casting darkness with might. Venomous Hex, inflict their pain, With poison's embrace, let her strength wane."
As the spell resonated, a malevolent aura enveloped Harriet's hands, releasing a toxic and corrosive essence aimed at Phina. Struck by the energy, Phina screamed in agony as the venom took hold, gradually draining her vitality and weakening her with each passing moment. Falling to her knees, her body shook with pain.
"Ackk!" She gurgled, blood seeping from her mouth.
A resounding thud echoed as Harriet materialized before Phina, breaking the silence, allowing the sounds of nature to surround them once more in Phina's illusory realm.
"You are truly insignificant," Harriet spat, advancing towards Phina and gripping her face tightly.
Harriet's venomous words rang out, "I haven't even used my power, yet here you are... On your knees already?"
As Harriet's form distorted, Kali's figure emerged, leaving Phina utterly horrified at the sight of Queen Kali.
"W-what d-did you do to my m-mom?!" Phina weakly snarled, blood trickling from her mouth.
Queen Kali regarded her with icy detachment, her silver eyes piercing and cold. Letting out a sigh, she turned away from Phina to survey the illusory realm surrounding them.
"Your illusions were quite skillful," Queen Kali complimented, retracting her praise with a swift remark, "but not convincing enough to deceive a Sovereign like me, especially one who commands both Dark Cultivation and Gale."
Returning her attention to Phina's fragile state, Queen Kali's gaze softened briefly, exhaling deeply. He acknowledged, "No matter how I project strength, my heart remains burdened with compassion. However, as a queen with a kingdom to safeguard, I cannot allow you to escape."
"But I can grant your long-awaited wish," Queen Kali offered, met only with Phina's hateful glare.
Phina struggled as crimson energy crackled around her, her form beginning to weaken.
"What are you d-doing to me?!" Phina screamed in fury.
"Sending you to your Mom," Queen Kali responded.
The relentless crimson energy swept through Phina, infiltrating her veins until her body disintegrated into dust.
"No-no-no!!" Phina's anguished scream echoed, her essence fading into nothingness. After a moment of torment, Phina ceased to exist, and Queen Kali reached out, collecting Phina's soul and condensing it into a small pill.
"This will be a fitting gift for Natasha," Queen Kali contemplated, her thoughts drifting to the intended recipient of Phina's soul.