The aftermath of the fierce battle lay scattered across the land, and the air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the stench of decay, a testament to the violent clash that had just unfolded.

Finally.

The Emperor, with his body nearly coated by blood, stood rigid, his gaze locked on the writhing form of the dark mage. The suspect that threatened the world's calamity now dissolved into a viscous black goop. He let out gurgled sounds before melting into the ground.

The mage was defeated.

A knight, worn out from the long-lasted battle, approached the Emperor. "Your Majesty, you did it! We finally killed the dark mage. Our world is saved!"

Calix turned, his face rather determined. "It's not the time to celebrate just yet, Kane. We have to erase every trace of his presence,"

Kane faltered, surprise flickering in his eyes. "But, Your Majesty. The dark mage is dead,"

"But not his magic," Calix sighed. "We must destroy the source. Go inform Luther, we're going to his manor while the rest wait here until we return,"

Kane nodded, feeling reluctant, but followed the Emperor's order. Once he left, Calix turned back to the melting remains of the dark mage. The last vestiges of his black magic flickered like dying embers before completely vanishing. 

When did it all go wrong?

Aelther was once a brilliant mage who fought alongside Calix for the empire since they were young. Calix saw him as a close friend. A comrade he could trust. But Calix also saw how Aelther's thirst for power led him down a dark path as he delved into forbidden magics that corrupted his soul. 

For years, Aelther spread fear and chaos wherever he went, threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness where only he could control everything. 

Calix closed his eyes for a moment, sighing before turning and walking away to be with his knights. Feeling a slight ache in his heart after realizing that he was mourning the loss of his once friend. 

Well, it's all over now.

"Your Majesty," One of the knights called out with a bright smile on his face. "We did it!"

"We beat the mage!"

"We can go back and tell everyone the great news!"

Calix couldn't help but smile, nodding to his remaining knights who survived the war. The memories of the battle still clung within them like the dirt and blood on their armor, but a sense of relief began to settle.

The surviving knights were gathering, their faces etched with exhaustion but also a gleam of victory. Some embraced each other, their laughter mingling with the low murmur of conversation. The tension of the war finally ebbing away.

They built tents around the barren land to rest while Calix washed his face before walking out of his tent to get to Kane, who was already with Luther by the hitching post.

"Kane, it's time," Calix said. "Is everyone informed about our plan?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. The others will stay here,"

"Good. Let's go,"

Some knights wished safe travel for the Emperor and his two trusted knights, and Calix began his journey to the mage's manor.

And, of course, discovering the world's most dangerous mage's lair won't be that easy.

Calix knew where Aelther's manor was located, but he knew that the wicked mage put strange spells to make it hard to reach there.

Calix and the two knights had to navigate through a dense forest, a twisted labyrinth of thorny thickets and jagged rocks. After going through the ravine, they found themselves in a clearing surrounded by dense fog. As they pressed on, the fog thickened, obscuring their vision and disorienting them. Calix used his holy magic to clear the path, which eventually led them out of the mist. 

And after that, they reached a rickety bridge, swaying perilously in the wind. The only way across the other side of the cliff where they could spot the manor. They left their horses behind, walked across the bridge, and managed to reach the other side unscathed.

"You're okay there, bud?" Luther raised an eyebrow, eyeing Kane who was breathing heavily after they crossed the bridge.

"Hm? Yeah. Of course," Kane said quickly, his face was pale and brown eyes widened. "What makes you think I'm not fine? I'm fine. We're all fine. We didn't fall,"

Luther snorted. "You're scared?"

"You think after battling the dark mage and nearly losing my life a couple of times, I'll be terrified of a stupid bridge?" Kane's face was flushed red, glaring at Luther.

Luther blinked slowly, clearly didn't trust him.

"Stop bickering," Calix sighed. "We have to move on,"

The knights mumbled their apologies and followed the Emperor. The manor loomed in the middle of dead trees, covered with creeping vines and tendrils, and everything about this house seemed to pulsate with the remnants of dark magic.

Kane and Luther quickly took out their swords when they saw gargoyles emerge from the shadows and ready to attack them, but Calix was faster, slicing them like they were nothing but butter. Golden dust swirled around his sword before it disappeared.

"Stay alert," Calix commanded. "Even after the mage's death, this manor is still steeped in magic. We must find and destroy everything connected to him,"

The two knights nodded, holding their swords in a vice grip. 

The three of them entered the manor, and they all felt unsettled by the stillness. They moved cautiously, senses heightened as they stepped deeper inside. There were bookshelves lined with tomes and walls adorned with grotesque paintings that seemed to watch their every move. Furniture draped in layers of dust, as if the house had been untouched for years. 

They found a chamber at the end of a long corridor. Kane and Luther walked ahead of Calix first to check if it was safe to enter. Kane glanced at Luther, and he nodded, then he kicked the door open. 

"What the..."

Inside the chamber, it was filled with strange artifacts. Crystals, vials containing swirling dark liquids, and a large obsidian altar at the center, etched with runes that glimmered with purple light.

"Ugh, this place gives me the creeps," Kane grimaced, eyeing a spider that crawled away behind a row of vials. 

"That must be it, right?" Luther asked, pointing the altar with his chin. "I can feel strong magic from it,"

"Yeah," Calix narrowed his eyes. "Let's destroy everything. Burn it all,"

Kane and Luther started to gather the books, artifacts, vials, and everything inside the room into a pile so they could burn them. Calix approached the altar, feeling the thrumming energy radiating from it. He drew his sword, concentrating his holy magic on the sword before swinging the blade down onto the altar.

"WAIT!"

Calix stopped his sword before it touched the altar. Kane and Luther gasped, turning around, and drew their swords toward the door.

"Who's there?!" Kane shouted.

"Are you crazy? You can't just destroy it! You'll die if you just smash it like a barbarian! Jeez, what'll happen if I'm not here, huh? Adults are so stupid,"

"What..." Calix's eyes widened, surprised to see who was by the entrance.

A little boy.