Farris, his brother, and loyal friends, gathered at the dawn of new trials, reached the majestic city of the Mountain. The ascent to its towering peak, both grand and foreboding, was not merely a physical endeavor but also a symbol of hope and despair. With each step, they drew closer to what the ancient peoples called the Beginning of Times. In the heart of this sanctuary, they sought a way to save all of them.

Finally, at the very summit, amid the ruins of an ancient civilization, they discovered a strange guardian holding a miniature model of the earth.

But their joy was short-lived. Suddenly, like a shadow, a sinister figure loomed. The main villain, mysterious and ruthless, emerged from the darkness, his presence seemingly filling the air with a suffocating energy. In his hands, he held a triangle shimmering with dark light — within it, like a sealed prison, lay the soul.

You thought you could save everyone? the villain said with a smirk, full of disdain. His words, like poisoned arrows, pierced the hearts of the friends.

Summoning all his strength, Farris called upon magic, and fiery whirlwinds swirled around him. A battle began, where swords and spells clashed. Magic flared like lightning, tearing the darkness apart, and the cries of friends merged into a single chorus of despair and courage. Hope, like a spark, illuminated their hearts as Rynor, full of determination, drew from his pouch a cube adorned with ancient patterns, glowing with a mysterious blue light. You will pay for what you've done to my loved ones, he declared, his voice echoing like thunder in a clear sky.

Is that so? came the response, laced with a smirk.

A year before these events, the beginning of the catastrophe:

The sky shattered suddenly, like an ancient scroll, torn and ripped by some unseen hand. A gust of wind carried a faint sound—an eerie, otherworldly moan—seeming to come from the very depths of the universe itself. Through the rift in the heavens, something impossible was revealed: a vast continent, shrouded in blue mist, floating alone in the infinite void of space like a forgotten island in a sea of stars. At the center of this otherworldly land stood a mountain, glowing with an ethereal light, its peak piercing the clouds like a blade. This mysterious new world surged downward, crashing violently into the Pacific Ocean below.

Tsunamis rose like ancient leviathans, towering waves smashing against the shores. The earth groaned, continents trembled, as though the planet itself was awakening from some deep, eternal sleep. Cities disappeared beneath the roiling waters, swallowed by waves and debris. In the blink of an eye, millions were lost to the chaos, their lives erased. And yet, this was only the beginning.

When the waves receded, when the mountains ceased their terrible roar, a stillness fell over the Earth—an unnatural, heavy silence. But this was no ordinary pause. An invisible force swept across the world, originating from the newly risen continent. For a brief, terrifying moment, every human on Earth felt it. A shared moment of frozen thought, as if the very fabric of reality had been torn. And in that instant, something deep inside humanity awoke. A power, long dormant, now surged through their veins—magic.

Faris and his companions had been in the mountains when it happened. The evening had been calm, almost eternal in its stillness. They sat around their campfire, flames dancing in the dark, casting a warm glow over their faces. The air was crisp, and the forest whispered ancient secrets in the breeze.

Faris, tall and somewhat hunched from years of silent thought, stared into the night sky. His sharp features were lit by the firelight, and his eyes, deep and piercing, reflected the distant stars. He had always felt the mountains held something more than mere stone and trees.

You know... there's something strange about this place, Faris muttered, his voice low and thoughtful, as if he could sense the mountain watching them. He exhaled, shaking his head. I thought this trip would help me relax, but it feels like... the mountain is staring back at me.

Lian, his best friend, and eternal skeptic, couldn't resist a smirk. Stocky and strong, with short, light hair, Lian had always been a man of action rather than contemplation.

Ha! Maybe you just need more sleep, Faris, Lian chuckled, shaking his head. We're here to relax, not to hunt ghosts.

Liriana, standing nearby, gently nudged Faris. She was tall, her long black hair darker than the night itself, and her green eyes glimmered with a warmth that seemed to ease the tension.

Don't be such a coward, Faris. It's just us and the stars... and maybe a few wild animals. Nothing to worry about, she teased softly, though her voice held an edge of concern.

Farik, Faris's younger brother, laughed from the other side of the campfire. He waved a burning stick in the air, pretending to fend off imaginary foes. Unlike his serious older brother, Farik was always full of life, always seeking fun in even the darkest situations.

Come on, Liriana's right! Farik exclaimed, grinning as he twirled the stick. It's just the woods, the fire, and us. What could go wrong? If any monsters show up, I'll handle 'em!

Ariena, standing a little further away, grinned mischievously. Her fair hair caught the firelight, and her lively spirit was infectious.

Oh, I'm sure you'll be our hero, Farik, she teased, flashing a sly smile.

Farik laughed, tossing his stick into the fire.

You bet! One swing, and the monsters will be running! he boasted cheerfully.

Kaldrion, the oldest of the brothers, simply shook his head, a bemused smile on his face. Calm, thoughtful, and always in control, Kaldrion radiated the quiet strength of a natural leader.

Let's focus on the real hero of the night, Kaldrion said, pulling out a bottle. Beer. It'll keep us grounded. He passed it around with a wink.

Ariena jumped in on the joke, laughing:

Just don't let Farik have too much. He'll start 'saving' us from everything!

The group erupted into laughter, the lighthearted banter momentarily easing the tension that clung to the air. They told stories, shared myths of mountain spirits, and spoke of eerie visions that haunted the local villagers.

But then, something changed.

The sky above them, once filled with countless stars, began to darken. One by one, the stars flickered out, as though some unseen force was snuffing them out. The air grew thick, the atmosphere heavy with an oppressive energy. Everything seemed to slow, as if the very world itself was holding its breath.

Lian, the first to notice, whispered:

Do you see that?

High above, the sky split open. At first, it was only a small crack, but it quickly spread, tearing across the horizon like lightning. From this rift, a blue mist spilled forth, covering everything in a ghostly shroud. The mountain trembled beneath their feet, the ground quaking violently.

The group froze, watching in stunned silence as reality itself seemed to unravel.

Faris was the first to snap out of it.

We need to get out of here! he shouted, grabbing Liriana's hand.

But Farik didn't move. He stood rooted to the spot, his eyes wide, staring into the mist. His lips moved, but no sound came out, as though he were speaking some language only he could understand.

Farik! Kaldrion rushed to his brother's side, gripping his shoulder. Snap out of it!

But Farik didn't respond. His body shook, his mind seemingly overtaken by some unseen force.

He's in a trance... Liriana whispered, her voice trembling.

The earth rumbled louder, the sky splitting wider with a deafening roar. Farik collapsed to his knees, clutching his head in agony as his body convulsed violently.

And then, as quickly as it began, everything stopped. The world fell into a cold, terrifying stillness. Farik stood motionless, his eyes dark, empty of all human light.