Ethan walks along the fiery trail of embers, the landscape glowing with heat intense enough to burn anything that dares touch it. Fortunately, they're on the Golden Path a rare safe passage through what many call the Gates of Hell. The path is usually teeming with the dead, but something is different this time.
As Ethan looks around, he notices the undead aren't hostile anymore. Instead, they're... busy.
Skeletons and other undead creatures move about, crafting armor, forging weapons, and even chatting with one another. Some gather in small groups, playing rudimentary games with bones and stones, their hollow eyes flickering with what might be amusement.
"...I wonder what led to this change"
Ethan mutters, his voice tinged with curiosity.
He watches the scene like a kid discovering a new world, his eyes wide with fascination. This isn't the Hollow Forest he remembers from the game. The undead here aren't mindless monsters—they're organized, almost... alive.
The Bone Guard walks beside him, its jaw clicking softly as it observes the strange behavior of its kin. Even the towering hoplite seems at ease, his fiery armor casting long shadows as he leads the group forward.
Ethan's mind races with questions. What caused this shift? Was it the influence of a powerful leader? Or had the undead simply evolved over time?
For now, he keeps his thoughts to himself, content to observe and learn. The Golden Path stretches ahead, its fiery glow a stark contrast to the darkness beyond. Whatever lies at the end of this road, Ethan knows it will change everything.
"Oi, kid!"
Ethan turns to see a group of hoplites staring at him, their hollow eyes glowing with curiosity.
"Yes?"
Ethan replies, raising an eyebrow.
The hoplites look him up and down, their skeletal faces tilting in unison.
"Your clothes look pretty fancy... were you a noble?"
one of them asks, his voice tinged with awe and curosity.
The others huddle closer, their bony frames clinking together like a group of kids eager to hear an interesting story.
"...."
Ethan almost chuckles at their enthusiasm but manages to keep a straight face.
"No, I'm not"
he says, waving a hand dismissively. "I was an officer."
The hoplites exchange confused glances, their jaws clicking softly.
"Really? What rank?"
one of them asks, leaning in closer.
Ethan hesitates for a moment, then shrugs.
"A Lochagos. I led a lochos during the war."
The hoplites murmur among themselves, their voices a mix of admiration and suprise.
"A Lochagos, huh? That's impressive"
one says, nodding approvingly.
Another hops forward, his spear clattering against his shield.
"Did you fight in any big battles? Tell us a story!"
Ethan blinks, caught off guard by their eagerness. For a moment, he forgets he's surrounded by undead warriors and feels almost... normal.
One of the officers calls out to them
"OI GET MOVING WE DON'T GOT ALL DAY"
Ethan nods before addressing them with a faint smile.
"We've got a long road ahead lets keep moving."
The hoplites groan in disappointment but quickly fall back into formation, their fiery armor casting flickering shadows on the ground. Ethan shakes his head, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Ethan smirks, a faint sense of nostalgia washing over him.
"...I guess it's been a while since I led my platoon"
he mutters to himself.
The feeling lingers, as if the past is trying to remind him of something—something important. But what?
"....I wonder what"
he says quietly, his voice barely audible over the crackling of the fiery path.
He glances in a certain direction, his heightened senses picking up the faint presence of Ferox and Selene in the distance. They seem to have found the other path, though how they'll navigate it is up to them.
CLICK CLICK CLICK
The Bone Guard taps Ethan's shoulder, its jaw clicking softly as it asks if Ferox and Selene will be alright.
"Yeah, they'll be fine"
Ethan replies, his tone reassuring.
"I trust Ferox's strength and Selene's intelligence. They'll make it through."
He pauses, glancing at the skeleton strapped to his back, its bones carefully wrapped in cloth. "Though... I guess we'll have to merge you soon," he adds, his voice lowering.
"It'd be weird if they found out one of theirs was an imposter."
CLICK CLICK CLICK
The Bone Guard's jaw rattles nervously.
*Where would we get that chance now?*
it seems to ask.
Ethan looks around, his eyes scanning the fiery landscape and the undead hoplites chatting in the distance.
"I guess some stories would be a good way to spice things up," he says, a sly grin forming on his face.
He hands the wrapped Skeleton to the Bone Guard before approaching the group of hoplites, their fiery armor casting flickering shadows on the ground. They turn to him, their hollow eyes glowing with curiosity.
"Alright"
Ethan says, crossing his arms.
"Who wants to hear a story about the time I led my lochos against an army twice our size?"
The hoplites cheer, their bony hands clattering together in excitement. For a moment, the fiery path feels less like a road to hell and more like a campfire gathering.
As Ethan begins his story, a sudden rumble shakes the ground. The hoplites immediately snap to attention, their spears and shields at the ready.
"What's going on?"
Ethan asks, his hand instinctively reaching for his katana.
The lead hoplite steps forward, his fiery eyes scanning the horizon.
"The path is never truly safe"
he says grimly.
"Something's coming."
Ethan tenses, his senses on high alert. The Bone Guard clicks its jaw, its purple eyes glowing brighter as it prepares for battle.
From the shadows of the fiery path, a massive figure emerges—a creature made of molten rock and embers, its eyes burning with rage.
"An Ember Golem Perfect"
Ethan mutters, gripping his katana tightly.
The hoplites form a phalanx, their shields locking together as they prepare to face the new threat. Ethan and the Bone Guard stand beside them, ready to fight.