Chapter 13: The Phantom King's Followers
---
The world had become a far more dangerous place. Caleb couldn't shake the warning that Lena had left with him: The Phantom King's followers are everywhere. He had hoped, even for a moment, that Lena might have been bluffing, that she was just trying to shake his resolve. But as the days passed, he could feel the shadow of the Phantom King creeping closer, and he began to realize that Lena's words were more truth than threat.
---
A New Threat Emerges
It was a week after Lena's visit when the first sign of the Phantom King's followers emerged. It was a subtle thing at first—a rumor circulating across campus that had everyone whispering. Several students had gone missing, and while the authorities were calling it a string of random disappearances, Caleb and his friends knew better. They'd heard rumors of the Phantom King's disciples, those who had sworn their allegiance to him, and the truth was beginning to surface.
"Something's wrong," Elena said, frowning as she scanned the campus bulletin. "People are disappearing, Caleb. And it's not a coincidence."
Caleb looked at the missing person posters scattered around the campus. A chill ran down his spine. The faces on the flyers were familiar, but Caleb's eyes kept returning to one: Noah, a friend from his earlier days at college. Noah had been a quiet kid, always in the background, but they had shared a few classes together. Now, he was gone—vanished without a trace.
"Why would they target Noah?" Caleb murmured, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Elena's eyes were sharp, her mind working quickly. "It doesn't make sense. Unless..."
"Unless what?" Caleb asked, sensing the shift in her tone.
"Unless Noah was one of them. A follower," she said softly, her voice heavy with realization.
---
The Search Begins
Determined to get answers, Caleb and his friends began their investigation. The campus was huge, and they couldn't cover it all in one day, but they knew they had to start somewhere. They decided to split up and look for clues about Noah's disappearance, hoping that if they found him, they could get more information about the Phantom King's followers.
"Elena, you and Marcus go to the library. Check the records, see if there's anything we missed about the disappearances," Caleb instructed. "Ryan, Liam, and I will check Noah's dorm. Maybe we can find some trace of him."
Elena gave a quick nod. "Be careful, Caleb. If these followers are really after you, they could be watching."
Caleb's jaw tightened. "They won't get past us."
---
Noah's Room
Ryan and Liam were silent as they made their way to Noah's dorm room. The hallways were quiet, the building almost eerily so, as if it had been abandoned. Caleb couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was watching them.
"Noah's room should be just up ahead," Ryan said, his voice low. "Do you think he really could be one of them?"
Caleb shook his head, trying to clear the doubt that had taken root in his mind. "I don't know. But if he is, he's in way deeper than we realized."
As they reached Noah's door, Caleb noticed the faint scent of something burning in the air. It was subtle but unmistakable—an acrid, charred smell, like something was rotting in the walls. Caleb's senses, honed by his werewolf abilities, flared. He turned the doorknob slowly and stepped inside.
The room was in complete disarray. Drawers were ripped open, papers scattered across the floor, and a strange, ominous symbol had been drawn on the wall—an intricate design that Caleb had seen in the ancient texts, one associated with the Phantom King's followers.
"This is bad," Liam muttered. "They were looking for something. Maybe Noah was helping them."
Caleb's mind raced. If the Phantom King's followers had been here, then it wasn't just a random disappearance. They were actively searching for something important.
Ryan knelt by the bed, inspecting a small notebook that had been tossed aside. "This could be it," he said, holding it up. "Noah's journal. Let's see what he wrote."
---
A Hidden Truth
Ryan flipped through the pages quickly, his eyes scanning the words. "Wait… here's something." He read aloud, his voice tense.
I have seen the truth now. The Phantom King is not just a myth, not just a legend. He is the only one who truly understands what it means to be free. To control everything. I want that power. I want to be more than I am. The followers are strong, and the rituals are real. Soon, I will join them, and nothing will stop me.
Caleb's heart sank as Ryan finished reading. He had known Noah since the beginning of the semester. He had never shown any sign of being involved in something dark like this.
"Damn it," Caleb whispered, his fists clenched. "He's one of them. He was trying to make contact with the Phantom King's followers."
Liam looked grim. "We need to find him before it's too late."
Caleb nodded. "Agreed. But we have to be careful. If they're as powerful as Lena said, we could be walking straight into a trap."
---
The Followers' Ritual
The group reconvened later that evening, the weight of their findings hanging heavily in the air. They had learned something crucial—Noah wasn't just missing. He had been indoctrinated into the Phantom King's cause. He had become a part of the growing network of the King's followers, all of whom were likely working toward a larger, darker plan.
"We need to stop them before they can finish what they started," Caleb said, his voice filled with determination. "If Noah is part of this ritual, we can't let it succeed."
Marcus, who had been silent throughout the discussion, finally spoke up. "The ritual... It's tied to the Heart of Souls. The Phantom King needs it to complete his resurrection and gain full control over the world. The followers have been gathering, preparing."
"What kind of ritual?" Elena asked, her voice tight with worry.
"An ancient one," Marcus replied. "If they manage to complete it, they could bind the Heart of Souls to Noah. He would become a vessel for the Phantom King's power. And if that happens, we'll never be able to stop him."
---
A Race Against Time
Realizing the urgency, Caleb and his friends quickly made plans to locate Noah before the ritual could be completed. They knew that time was running out, and the Phantom King's followers were closing in on their goal.
As Caleb prepared to leave, Elena caught his arm. "Be careful, Caleb. I don't want to lose you, too."
Caleb looked at her, his heart heavy with emotion. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll stop them, together."
He kissed her quickly, his mind already racing through the strategies they would need to use to infiltrate the followers' lair and prevent Noah from becoming a pawn in the Phantom King's deadly game.
---
Next Enemy Arc: The Ritual of the Heart
With the Phantom King's followers closing in, Caleb and his friends must race against time to stop the ritual before Noah is transformed into a vessel for the King's power. They will face betrayal, fight through traps, and confront their greatest fears, all while learning more about the true nature of the Heart of Souls and its power.