Chapter 7: Preparing for the Storm
The grand chamber of the Cathedral of Eternal Light was silent as Paladin Commander Darius Greylock stood before the gathered council. The expedition team had returned from the Cubi Isles only hours ago, and now they were delivering their report to the highest echelons of the Church. The bishops and archbishops sat in a semi-circle, their expressions grim as they listened to Darius recount the events.
Darius's voice was steady but tinged with unease. "The island is cloaked in an unnatural fog, one saturated with dark energy. It is no mere atmospheric anomaly but a manifestation of something far more sinister. The land itself feels cursed—twisted by an unknown force."
Bishop Aldric leaned forward, his brows furrowed. "And what of its inhabitants? Did you encounter any resistance?"
Darius shook his head. "None directly. However, the presence of dark rituals and symbols in the area indicates organized activity. Someone—or something—is actively cultivating this darkness."
Mage Kaelen stepped forward to add his perspective. "The energy on that island is unlike any we've faced before. It is not merely the taint of an Evil God. If it is, it's a power beyond our understanding. It's as though the darkness itself is alive, watching us."
Archbishop Valerius's voice cut through the room. "Your conclusion, Commander?"
Darius hesitated before speaking. "This island is more than a cursed land. I believe it to be the cradle of something far worse. If we are to uncover the truth, we will need to send a larger force—one capable of withstanding and combating this threat."
The council exchanged uneasy glances before Valerius addressed the room. "This is troubling news indeed. If a new Evil God has arisen, it is our duty to eliminate it before its influence spreads. We will deliberate on our next course of action."
Darius and his party were dismissed, but the council remained in heated discussion.
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The Expedition's Reflection
Outside the council chambers, the expedition party gathered in the courtyard. Captain Alaric slammed his gauntleted fist into a stone pillar, his frustration evident. "We should've stayed longer. Investigated more. We barely scratched the surface!"
Cleric Mirielle placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "We did what we could, Alaric. That place... it's beyond us for now."
Mage Kaelen nodded in agreement. "The darkness there isn't something we can handle recklessly. We need the Church's full support if we're to return."
Darius, standing apart from the group, stared into the horizon. "The island isn't just a threat—it's a warning. Whatever lies there is waiting. And if we're not careful, it will devour us all."
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In the Shadow Village
Meanwhile, deep within the Void Island, the villagers of the shadow gathered in their central hall. The room was dimly lit by the eerie glow of shadowy flames, and the air was thick with anticipation.
Lyra, the high-ranking Shadow Priestess, addressed the crowd. "They came, and we let them go. Why? Why didn't we crush them when we had the chance?"
The village chief, Gaelan, stepped forward, his voice calm but resolute. "Patience, Lyra. We do not catch small fish when we aim for a feast. The expedition was sent as a probe. They were never meant to be our true adversaries."
A murmur ran through the room as Gaelan continued. "By allowing them to return, we've planted the seeds of fear and curiosity. They will send more, and with them, they'll bring the strength of their Church. That will be our moment—when we shroud them all in darkness and show the world the might of the Void."
"But why risk it?" asked a younger villager, his voice trembling. "What if they return with forces too powerful for us to handle?"
Gaelan's lips curled into a cold smile. "They underestimate us. This island is our home, and it obeys the will of the Void. The terrain is our weapon, the darkness our ally. They will come, and they will fall."
The villagers began to nod, their initial doubts giving way to a shared determination.
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Preparing for Battle
The village chief turned to his advisors. "Ensure everyone is prepared. Train harder, delve deeper into the Void's essence, and fortify our defenses. Lyra, oversee the conversion of the new initiates. Their strength will bolster our ranks."
Lyra inclined her head. "As you command. The new initiates have already begun to absorb the Void's essence. Their power grows, but so does their transformation. Some are beginning to lose their sanity."
Gaelan's gaze was unflinching. "That is their fate. The Void takes as it gives. We need warriors, not minds."
The villagers dispersed, each with a renewed sense of purpose. As the shadows writhed and danced around them, the air seemed to hum with the Void's power.
---
Back at the Church
The council's deliberations carried on late into the night. Archbishop Valerius spoke with urgency. "We cannot delay. The longer we wait, the stronger this threat becomes."
Bishop Aldric agreed. "We must assemble a crusade—hundreds, no, thousands of our best. This island must be cleansed of its darkness."
High Priestess Seraphina cautioned against rash action. "We must not forget the cost of such an endeavor. If we send our forces blindly, we risk losing them all. We need strategy, not brute force."
Valerius nodded. "Agreed. We will send a second party, larger and better equipped, to assess the full extent of this darkness. Only then will we act decisively."
The Church began drafting plans for the next expedition, even as the shadow of the Void loomed ever larger.
---
The Void Grows
On the island, Allen observed from the heart of the Void. His power had grown with each passing day, and now, at 0.13% integration of the Null Template, he felt a new sense of omnipotence. With a flick of his wrist, shadowy creatures materialized before him—beasts born of the Void, their forms shifting and unstable but imbued with undying loyalty.
"These mortals amuse me," Allen mused, his voice resonating through the dark expanse. "Let them come with their armies and their gods. It makes no difference. The Void hungers, and I will feed it."
From his vantage point, he watched as the villagers prepared for the coming storm. Their fervor and devotion brought a faint smile to his lips.
"This is only the beginning," he whispered. "Let the world learn the terror of the Void."