Arin thought for a moment before speaking. "I have two children, Dhruv and Anshika. They're our strongest necromancers."
Rishi's eyes lit up. "I want to test them directly. Where are they?"
Arin hesitated. "They've gone outside for a task. But I can call them back."
Rishi nodded. "No need. We'll test them in a different way. Villagers, hide in the surrounding areas. We'll create a simulation, making it seem like we're attacking the village."
The villagers looked confused, but Arin nodded. "Why, sir? Where will we go?"
Rishi smiled mischievously. "You forget we have a Time Empress. Lyra can create a temporary illusion of your village, making it seem like you're still here."
Lyra nodded, understanding. "I'll create a time loop, reliving the same moment until we're done with the test."
Arin's eyes widened in amazement. "Very well, let's proceed. But be warned, my children are not to be underestimated."
Rishi grinned. "Neither are we. Let's see how they fare against us."
With a nod, the villagers scattered, hiding in the surrounding areas. Lyra began to weave her time magic, creating an illusion of the village. Rishi, Kaidō, and Arin stood ready, waiting for Dhruv and Anshika to return and face their test.
After some time
Dhruv and Anshika rushed back to the village, only to see Rishi, Kaidō, and Lyra attacking the villagers. The villagers were running wildly, screaming in terror. Arin's body lay on the ground, motionless.
Anshika charged forward, her necromancer powers unleashing a horde of undead soldiers. "I'll protect our village!" she shouted.
But Dhruv hesitated. Something didn't feel right. He sensed a strange, unnatural energy emanating from the scene before him.
Suddenly, it clicked. "Wait, Anshika! This isn't real!" Dhruv shouted, rushing forward to grab his sister.
Anshika turned to him, confused. "What do you mean? Father's dead!"
Dhruv shook his head. "No, he's not. This is an illusion. I can sense it."
Rishi, Kaidō, and Lyra were taken aback. How did Dhruv see through their test?
Kaidō stepped forward, impressed. "Well done, Dhruv. You have a keen mind. You noticed the slight delay in the villagers' reactions, the too-perfect timing of their screams. And you sensed the faint aura of Lyra's time magic."
Dhruv nodded, his eyes narrowing. "I knew something was off. And I knew our villagers wouldn't act like that."
Anshika looked at her brother in awe. "Dhruv, you're amazing!"
Rishi grinned. "Welcome to the team, Dhruv. You're going to be a valuable asset."
Dhruv and Anshika exchanged surprised glances. "Who are you?" they asked in unison.
Arin stepped forward, a warm smile on his face. "These are the ones I told you about, my children. Rishi, Kaidō, and Lyra. They're the leaders of the Eternal Resonance team."
Dhruv's eyes widened. "The Eternal Resonance? I've heard of it, but I never thought..."
Anshika's gaze narrowed. "What do you want from us?"
Arin placed a hand on each of their shoulders. "They're here to test you, to see if you're worthy of joining the Eternal Resonance team."
Dhruv's eyes lit up. "A test? I'm in."
Anshika nodded, her expression determined. "Me too."
Rishi grinned. "Excellent. Let's get started then."
The test was a series of challenges, each designed to push Dhruv and Anshika to their limits. But in the end, it was Dhruv who emerged victorious, his strategic thinking and quick reflexes impressing Rishi and Kaidō.
Lyra smiled, placing a hand on Dhruv's shoulder. "Welcome to the team, Dhruv. You're now a member of the Eternal Resonance system."
Anshika's face fell, but Arin reassured her. "Don't worry, my daughter. Your time will come. You have great potential."
Dhruv turned to his sister, a supportive grin on his face. "We'll do this together, Anshika. We'll become stronger, and we'll join the fight against Malum and Zero."
And with that, Dhruv became the newest member of the Eternal Resonance team
Dhruv's face fell as he received a notification. "What's wrong?" Rishi asked, noticing his sudden sadness.
Dhruv sighed. "I'm not a member of the Eternal Resonance family...and I'm 20 levels away from becoming a Necromancer Monarch."
Rishi's expression softened. "Don't worry, Dhruv. We'll help you catch up."
But Dhruv shook his head. "It's not that. I don't want to leave my family and sister behind."
Rishi's face lit up with a smile. "You won't have to. Village Head, you're coming with us."
Arin's eyes widened in surprise. "But sir, how can we leave our realm?"
Rishi chuckled. "I've already found a new realm for us. Follow me."
Arin hesitated, but Rishi's confidence was infectious. "How will we transport all our artifacts?" he asked.
Rishi waved his hand dismissively. "Gather them in one area. I'll take care of the rest."
As the villagers gathered their artifacts, a purple shadow began to emanate from Rishi's side. The shadow grew larger, devouring all the items in its path.
Rishi smiled, satisfied. "Work done."
The villagers gasped in amazement as Rishi revealed a sleek spaceship behind him. "Our new home awaits. Let's embark on this journey together!"
And with that, the village head, Arin, and his people set off with Rishi, Kaidō, Lyra, and Dhruv towards a new realm, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.