The ruins of Eldrin lay silent. The Divine Order's forces had been annihilated, their bodies either devoured by the Abyss or turned into Kael's new servants. The once-proud Inquisitor Aric Velian now knelt before him, his golden armor darkened, his eyes glowing with abyssal fire.
Kael gazed at his newly converted knight. "Rise, Aric."
Aric stood, his face devoid of emotion. His transformation was complete—his holy aura had been corrupted, reshaped into something… darker.
Kael's lips curled into a smirk. "Tell me, former Inquisitor. Do you still serve the Divine?"
Aric's hands clenched into fists. A war raged in his mind, memories of loyalty battling against the abyssal whispers that now commanded his soul. Then, his voice came—cold, emotionless.
"No."
Kael chuckled. Perfect.
Vaelros appeared beside him, his wraith-like form flickering. "My lord, what shall we do next? The Divine Order will soon learn of this defeat. They will not stay idle."
Kael looked toward the horizon. The war had begun.
—
The Next Target – Blackthorn Keep
Kael turned to a map of the region, spread across a cracked stone table in the ruined castle. His forces were still small compared to the Divine Order's armies, but that would change soon.
His next target was clear—Blackthorn Keep.
It was a fortified stronghold, a crucial supply hub for the Divine Order. More importantly, it housed an Abyssal Relic—one of the lost artifacts that once belonged to Kael in his past life.
Vaelros spoke cautiously. "Blackthorn is well-defended, my lord. Even with Aric's knowledge of their tactics, a direct assault may be… costly."
Kael smirked. "Who said anything about a direct assault?"
He turned to Aric. "You were their commander. Their hero. They will still trust you."
Understanding dawned in Aric's abyss-tainted eyes. "You want me to walk through their gates… and open them from within."
Kael nodded. "The perfect betrayal."
Aric hesitated for only a moment before bowing. "It will be done, my lord."
Kael placed a hand on Aric's shoulder, abyssal energy pulsing between them. "Do not fail me, Aric. Your soul belongs to the Abyss now. If you waver… you will cease to exist."
Aric flinched but nodded. "I understand."
Kael turned away, looking into the misty ruins. The world believed he was dead, erased from history.
They would soon learn the truth.
He was back.
And this time, he would not be stopped