As the first rays of dawn pierced the darkness, Vergil and Kael emerged from the subterranean labyrinth. They found themselves in a secluded clearing.
Vergil knew that Darius's men would be searching for them, their absence a cause for alarm. Yet, he felt no urgency. There was much to ponder, much to plan.
Darius received the exhilarating news of Vergil's arrival and immediately set off to seek him out.
As he pushed open the door, Darius was greeted by a sight that filled him with a mix of relief and unease. Vergil sat by the window, a steaming cup of tea before him. The table was set for two, the teacups and saucers arranged with meticulous care.
The scene was almost serene, a stark contrast to last night's chaos. But Darius knew that beneath the calm surface, a storm was brewing.
"There's much to discuss, Mr. Darius," Vergil said, his voice calm but laced with a hint of urgency. "And I believe this meeting would be incomplete without Elara's presence."
A battle raged within Darius, his heart pounding as he weighed the pros and cons of revealing the truth.
"She's grieving," Darius finally admitted.
"Grieving?" Vergil asked, his brow furrowing.
"Remember that story about Aether I shared with you?" Darius inquired, his eyes never leaving Vergil's.
"Ah, yes," Vergil said, recalling the tragic fall of Elara's father. "A shame," he added, his voice filled with genuine sympathy. "To have to take up all that responsibility so suddenly. She's a remarkably resilient young woman."
"Nevertheless, this meeting will have to commence without her," Darius said, his tone firm. He took a seat across from Vergil. The healer poured them each a cup of tea, the steam rising in a comforting haze.
"I found the summoner," Vergil began, his voice low and steady.
Darius's eyes widened. "Who is it?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"That is a story for another time," Vergil replied. "But first, I must warn you of the impending danger."
A great shiver ran down Darius' spine. "What is it now?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"The summoner is aware of me," Vergil explained, "He'll be ready for anything, and he'll unleash his most fearsome creatures. Your village, everyone in it, will be destroyed."
Darius's heart pounded in his chest, the rhythm echoing the chaos within his mind. "This must be one of your jokes," he whispered.
"If you believe my words are a jest, then you, my friend, are a fool," Vergil retorted, his eyes filled with a chilling coldness.
Darius swallowed hard, the bitter taste of reality settling in his stomach. "You have a plan, don't you?" he asked, his voice filled with desperation.
Vergil's gaze remained steady, his expression unreadable. The weight of the world seemed to rest on his shoulders.
"It's an incomplete plan," Vergil admitted.
"Incomplete or not, spill it," Darius demanded, his impatience evident.
Vergil had never witnessed such a display of impatience from Darius. His restlessness was a palpable force in the room. Given their dire circumstances, it was understandable that Darius would be so agitated.
"Your people must evacuate the village, and they must do so quickly," he said. "Is there a neighboring town or city that will welcome them?"
Vergil's words fell like a bombshell, leaving Darius stunned and bewildered. The plan, the sacrifices, the countless hours of preparation – had it all been in vain?
His anger began to simmer, a slow burn that threatened to engulf him. "What was the point of all this?" he demanded, his voice rising.
"What advantage have you given us?" he continued, his eyes filled with fury. "The sacrifices we've made, the men we've lost – was it all for nothing?"
Vergil understood exactly what Darius was implying, but he chose to feign ignorance.
"I wouldn't say that," Vergil replied, his voice steady. "Things are about to get much worse though."
Vergil, a skilled deceiver, was keeping a closely guarded secret that would serve his own purposes. Darius, with his limited view, remained oblivious to the depths of Vergil's cunning. The information he possessed was merely a stepping stone for Vergil's plans.
Even now, as the fate of the village hung in the balance, Vergil felt a pull towards the summoner, a siren song that tempted him to abandon his newfound allies.
Vergil observed Darius's pacing, his restlessness evident. "The summoner must be eliminated," Vergil stated, his voice icy and determined. "That is the only way to end this madness."
"And how, pray tell, do we kill someone so powerful?" Darius asked, his voice laced with skepticism.
"The summoner may not be as invincible as you think," Vergil replied. "Power comes in many forms, and knowledge is a potent weapon."
Darius's frustration flared. Vergil's cryptic words were maddening. "If there's something you're not telling me, I suggest you do so now," he demanded, his voice rising.
Vergil sighed, his expression a mask of indifference. "The city of Elysium has fallen, I know that much," he revealed. "Its people are nothing more than livestock to the summoner... or should I say Living Resources."
Darius's brow furrowed, a crease of doubt marring his face. He wasn't sure if Vergil was speaking literally or if his words were cloaked in a cryptic veil. Though evident, the fall of Elysium was still a rumor that had echoed through the land. To hear it confirmed with such detail, to hear it spoken with such cold certainty, sent a shiver down his spine.
...and how in the world does Vergil know this?
"Yes, the enemy is quite cruel," Vergil continued, his voice a chilling echo of the darkness within him. "With such a consuming hatred burning within them, it's no surprise what they've done."
Something about the enemy's cruelty resonated deeply with Vergil, a chilling echo of his own dark past. He had once harbored a similar hatred, a consuming fire that had driven him to delve into the depths of dark magic. His sole purpose had been to eradicate his enemies, to cleanse the world of those he deemed unworthy. Innocent people, caught in the crossfire, had suffered, but Vergil had been indifferent. _Let them all perish,_ he had thought.
"It's all too familiar," Vergil admitted, his voice filled with a haunting sadness.
For the first time, Darius witnessed a side of Vergil he had never seen before. Beneath the icy facade, the calculating mind, there was a glimmer of something... human. A flicker of empathy, a trace of vulnerability. It was a fleeting moment, a glimpse into a soul that had been shrouded in darkness for so long.
Vergil, realizing he had drifted into his thoughts, snapped back to reality, his icy exterior hardening once more. "Do what must be done, Darius," he commanded, his voice a chilling whisper. "Or your people will cease to exist."
Darius's spirit sank. "So, this is it, huh?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Not quite," Vergil replied, his eyes glinting with a cold intensity. "You haven't been listening. How long do you think your people can keep fighting? Years?"
"So... we kill the summoner," Darius inquired, just to be certain they were in the same page.
"Yes," Vergil confirmed, his tone unwavering. Darius forced himself to believe in Vergil's plan, to trust that he has a clear path forward.
Darius broke the news of their imminent departure to the villagers, which was met with shock and disbelief. Many wanted to resist, to hold onto their homes, but Darius made it clear that this was not a matter for discussion. The decision had been made.
The only obstacle remaining was convincing the King of the neighboring land to welcome them. It would be a delicate task, a gamble with their very survival.
Darius knew he had to take the lead. He would need to journey to the neighboring land, to plead their case before the king. But he couldn't go alone. He would need a team of trusted warriors, men who were as determined and resourceful as he was.
"You're coming with me, Corvus," Darius declared, his voice firm.
Vergil's eyes narrowed. He knew he couldn't refuse, but chose to try.
"No thank you," Vergil replied, feigning reluctance.
"That's an order," Darius countered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Vergil knew better than to defy Darius. He couldn't afford to be disobedient, not until he had secured the power he sought.
"You need someone to take care of matters while you're away," Vergil suggested, his voice laced with a hint of cunning.
"Don't insult my intelligence, Corvus," Darius replied, seeing through his deception.
"Who will take over while you're gone? Elara?" Vergil asked, his eyes fixed on Darius.
Darius hesitated, his mind racing. He knew he couldn't leave Elara in charge. She was still grieving, her judgment clouded by sorrow.
"I'll find someone," Darius finally said.
The following days were a whirlwind of activity for Darius. He had to make preparations, secure supplies, and ensure the villagers were ready to leave. Elara's return provided a brief respite, but the weight of their impending departure hung heavy in the air.
"We've dived too deep to stop now," Darius said. "If there's any truth in Vergil's words, this is our only chance."
"What did he see?" Elara asked.
"He didn't say," Darius replied, his voice heavy with regret. "But he seemed certain that our survival depends on leaving this place."
Darius's heart skipped a beat as he noticed the grim look on Elara's face. "What's troubling you, Lady Elara?" he asked.
"Winter is coming, Darius,"
"I do know that,"
"You underestimate Valor's stubbornness, Darius. He may refuse to help us,"
"Lord Valor should recognize the gravity of our plight..."
"But," Elara argued, "What reason does he have to lend us a hand? Why should he care about our survival?"
Elara's words struck a chord with Darius. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him feeling weak and unsteady.