The nation of Caldris, an expanding empire, had prospered for centuries thanks to its technological advances and its powerful academies of warriors and mages. It was a place where the wonders of science and technology coexisted; a realm where the mechanical noises of mechas in the cities mingled with the whispering chants of mages who, with the power of materialization, pushed human creativity to its limits.

Materialization was not a conventional type of magic. It was an ancient art that required great mental capacity and a precise mastery of concentration. The mages of Caldris and other nations did not cast spells with simple words alone; they visualized in detail what they wanted to bring into the world or change in their environment.

Materialization consisted of transforming abstract ideas, thoughts and concepts into tangible realities, like putting together a clay figure, but in reality itself.

Through intense mental visualization and the use of descriptive words as support, mages could manifest everything from ethereal weapons and unbreakable shields to creatures that moved and acted like living beings. However, this power had its limits.

For the materialization to be effective, the mage had to maintain absolute control over his mind, since any distraction or doubt could cause the desired materialization to fail to materialize or the materialized to vanish. Likewise, maintaining a materialization for a long time generated a considerable mental exhaustion that in extreme cases could lead to brain death.

Some mages, to ensure their concentration, relied on advanced technology such as focusing crystals or devices that amplified their ability to visualize, a symbiotic blend of science and arcane skill.

This synergy between technology and materialization was the pride of Caldris, a testament to their advancement as a nation. And, although many mages of other nations had dedicated their lives to perfecting this art of materialization, the mages of Caldris stood out by far.

However, the dangers of this art were high; a slip in mind control could have fatal consequences, both for themselves and those around them.

Under the watchful eye of its leaders and with the promise of a bright future, Caldris stood as a pillar of stability in a troubled world.

At its heart, the majestic city of Velkarn stood as the epicenter of its power. A towering metropolis, famous for its tall metal towers that brushed the clouds, and for its vibrant energy that never seemed to be extinguished.

Velkarn's lights shone day and night, and its streets, always bustling with life, were home to merchants, artisans and soldiers, all dedicated to serving the great nation. Velkarn was living proof of the greatness of Caldris, a symbol of prosperity and security.

However, in a single instant, everything changed.

The sky darkened and the earth beneath the feet of Velkarn's inhabitants began to tremble with terrifying force. The rumble of an earthquake shook the city, tearing buildings from their foundations and destroying what seemed indestructible.

What was once a safe and prosperous place was transformed into a chaos of screams and rubble. At the center of this disaster, a huge chasm opened up in the earth, and from its depths emerged a mysterious structure to what appeared to be a cursed castle, a black, cracked ruin that defied the laws of time and logic.

The castle loomed with an ominous presence, as if claiming its rightful place in the world. From its crevices, a dark and dense energy began to flow, spreading like an invisible poison that touched everything around it. And then, spirits emerged.

At first, they were ghostly figures, faceless forms that glided through the ruins and shadows of the devastated city. But soon, these entities acquired a consciousness of their own, and with it, an insatiable desire for destruction.

The victims closest to the epicenter of the disaster died instantly, their bodies disintegrating into thin air as the spirits absorbed their essence.

The entities began to increase in number, and with each instant, their forms became sharper, as if they were preparing for something else. One after another, they emerged from the dark bowels of the castle, spreading out beyond the crumbling walls.

Velkarn, once a vibrant center of commerce and culture, with its squares filled with merchants and its streets illuminated by the light of smiths and craftsmen, now lay under the shadow of a growing menace. Its ancient streets, once full of life and laughter, were now overrun by spirits that seemed to be reclaiming the outside world for a dark and imminent purpose.