Upon seeing Asmodea seemingly bound in chains, Zephyr and the group let out a collective sigh of relief, as if a massive burden has been lifted from their shoulders. Zephyr releases his barrier and then checks on the King, who appears to be still in a state of terror, even though the immediate threat has been neutralized. Eredin, on the other hand, turns his attention to Aria, examining her unconscious face. The fading blush on her cheeks is apparent. She is breathing, which is a good sign, but Eredin is concerned about her mental and psychological well-being. The forceful interruption of the ritual could not have been good for her. Moreover, her beautiful ginger colored hair has turned as white as snow, which worries Eredin greatly.
Zephyr approaches them, his sorrowful eyes fixed on Aria. "The forceful removal of the divine protection caused this," he tells Eredin in a somber tone. "Will she ever wake up?" Eredin asks, his sadness apparent as tears well up in his eyes. Zephyr doesn't answer. He doesn't know, and he doesn't want to break Eredin's heart or give him false hope.
Thalia approaches Zephyr. "You owe me, Zephyr. Bring my father back!" she demands, pressuring Zephyr despite her exhausted state. Zephyr looks at her and then at the sealed dark goddess. "I'll do what I can," he says, his eyes filled with determination to right his wrongs. "I won't let you die until you do this!" Thalia assures Zephyr that the only reason he is alive is that she needs him. Thalia's gaze then drifts to Elias, who is still recovering from having his gut blown off. He notices Thalia staring at him, and she quickly averts her gaze. She knows Elias only entered the fray because she got hurt, but she doesn't want to say anything. She doesn't know what to say after everything that has happened between them. Elias is still furious about his commander and comrades being killed, but deep down, he is angry with himself for still harboring feelings for the woman who killed them. He also remains silent, unsure of what to say.
Zephyr moves to check Asmodea's state, finding her bound in chains of light, her eyes gazing straight at him. He ponders how relatively easy it was to seal her and feels a sense of unease, but dismisses it. He believes this to be the strongest seal known to mankind, and if this doesn't hold her, nothing will. Zephyr then assists the King to his feet and tells the group, "We need to get out of here!" They all agree, recognizing the lingering danger. Zephyr also needs to devise a plan to restore the Royal Castle. Elias carries Aria, and they all head towards the exit.
Upon opening the door, they are met with a horrifying sight. Darkness has engulfed the royal capital, with demons and monsters roaming the streets. Dead bodies are scattered everywhere, blood soaks the pavement, and fires rage in the buildings and torn-down houses. Zephyr's eyes, however, are fixed on the still-open portals. He questions why they remain open even after he sealed the dark goddess. But his realization comes too late when a chilling, malicious voice echoes in their heads, "Playtime's over."
The group turns to see the source of the voice, only to be met with a horrifying sight. Asmodea's hand is gripping Thalia's beating heart, having skewered her chest with her bare hand. Thalia coughs up blood, her eyes growing hazy as she reaches out to Elias, who is paralyzed with shock. "That's for ruining my dress," Asmodea says in a terrifyingly playful tone, pulling her hand out of Thalia's body and discarding the heart. In an instant, she lunges at Elias, who is still holding Aria in his arms. "No!" Eredin shouts as he pushes Elias aside, taking Asmodea's attack. Blood splatters on the walls as Eredin is slashed across his torso by Asmodea's sharp claws. He kneels down, weakened and coughing up blood. The effects of his pills have long worn off.
Zephyr attempts to erect another barrier when he suddenly feels his head being torn asunder. He recognizes the feeling; the demon Thalassa, who once possessed him, is resurfacing. In his hands, he holds the King's neck, being wrung. The effects of the anti-possession pill are wearing off. He writhes in pain as he focuses his mind, trying to maintain control. "Not...yet," he fights desperately against the demon's forceful entry. The King is slowly suffocating. "You lose," the demon Thalassa's voice echoes loudly in his mind.
Asmodea is pleased with the turn of events, her gaze turning to the King. Zephyr tries his best to resist the demon, but it is too strong. Snap! Zephyr's eyes widen as he holds the King's lifeless body in his hands. With the sudden dire turn of events, Zephyr looks at the ritual seal that was easily destroyed by Asmodea. She was just toying with them from the start. This is the true might of the dark goddess. Shivers run down his spine as he realizes that nobody and nothing in this world can stop this being. Even with her powers incomplete, she is nearly omnipotent. In a panic, with everything now compromised, he is left with only one option. He needs to seal the demon, Thalassa within himself. Zephyr looks at Elias with sad eyes as he resigns to his fate. Then he looks at Asmodea with vengeful eyes and proclaims, "I will not let myself be a slave once more!"
Black veins appear on his body as the Demon Thalassa takes control. With all his might, Zephyr regains control of himself for a moment, slams his staff hard into the ground, and shouts, "Eternal Effigy of the Stone Dragon!" Asmodea and the demon Thalassa are caught off guard when Zephyr's body slowly begins to turn to stone. "You fool! Stop this!" The demon Thalassa's confidence turns into panic as she realizes she will be trapped within Zephyr. Asmodea locks eyes with Zephyr until his eyes succumb to petrification. The last thing Zephyr sees is Asmodea's smirk as she annoyingly acknowledges his move.
Now that Zephyr is petrified, Asmodea drifts her gaze towards Aria and notices something on her person. She slowly reaches her hand to grab her but is gripped by a strong hand. Eredin, who was at death's door, is now back in the fray. However, his appearance has changed drastically. His skin is now as black as coal, his eyes red, and scalding steam pours from his pores and mouth. He tightly grips Asmodea's hand and shouts at Elias, "Snap out of it, boy! Take Aria and escape!" He then pulls Asmodea away from them with incredible speed, dragging her across the floor, and throws her with all his might, causing her to crash into the wall.
Elias' mind returns to reality, and he remembers the transportation scroll Eredin gave him when they first met. He looks at Eredin engaging in combat with Asmodea and realizes that Eredin, in that state, will not be able to survive, whether he wins or loses. He looks at Thalia's lifeless body on the stone-cold floor one last time, tears streaming from his eyes as he loathes himself and his fate. He rips the scroll apart, activating it. A magic circle surrounds them, and in an instant they are engulfed in a bright light that streams upwards into the sky and then vanishes.
Eredin, seeing that they have escaped, experiences a moment of relief as he resigns himself to his fate. Asmodea looks at him and says, "You are a fine specimen." Eredin, unsure if she meant it to mock him or compliment him, knows that he has saved Aria, and that is enough for him. He can only wish to see her smile one last time. He is now at his limit; he would now pay the price for the boosting pills he took. His thoughts fade as he slowly dissipates into the wind, turning into ash.
Asmodea walks towards the door, greeted by a scene of carnage that brings a smile to her face. She looks at the horizon, watching as the clouds darken, finally released into the world. Her thoughts are consumed by the desire to bring destruction upon her dear sister and transform the beloved world into her own image. A world of death, famine, carnage, and terror. She raises her hand, releasing a surge of pure energy—a crimson pillar shooting straight into the heavens. Darkness spreads across the sky, expanding throughout the Kingdom of Merthol.
People from all over the world witness this event. From the Sorcelight Institute in the Kingdom of Mages to the Darklands ruled by the Drows, they all have thoughts of an ill omen that will come not too far into the future.
Not far from the Kingdom of Merthol, an army carrying the banner of Merthol comes to a halt as they witness the red pillar of light emanating from the capital. Among them is a golden-haired young man, dressed differently from the rest. His eyes are filled with questions. "My Prince, shall we continue marching towards the capital?" The man is the prince of Merthol, away from a diplomatic expedition. Despite his young age, he is already a seasoned warrior and diplomat, constantly dealing with alliances and spending time away from the kingdom. He looks at his attendant with seriousness in his eyes and says, "Let's go home."
In another part of the world, where the beastmen reign, a mountainous region filled with tents and huts, beastmen engage in fights and training. Atop a mountain, a one-eyed Beastman King sits on his throne, his one good purple eye observing the phenomenon at the skies from his seat. He gently touches his blind eye, covered by an eyepatch.
In a distant land, within the Kingdom of Elves where the Great Elder Tree resides, a golden-haired elf female Paladin, adorned in heavy armor and wielding a great shield, gazes at the red pillar of light. Her blue eyes are filled with both worry and intrigue. She then turns her attention to a broken sword resting on a stone slab.
And somewhere near the Kingdom of the Elves, close to the roots of the Great Elder Tree, by a river with a small waterfall, inside a small cabin, Aria Nightbloom, the half-elf apothecary, opens her eyes for the first time.
Upon seeing Asmodea seemingly bound in chains, Zephyr and the group let out a collective sigh of relief, as if a massive burden has been lifted from their shoulders. Zephyr releases his barrier and then checks on the King, who appears to be still in a state of terror, even though the immediate threat has been neutralized. Eredin, on the other hand, turns his attention to Aria, examining her unconscious face. The fading blush on her cheeks is apparent. She is breathing, which is a good sign, but Eredin is concerned about her mental and psychological well-being. The forceful interruption of the ritual could not have been good for her. Moreover, her beautiful ginger colored hair has turned as white as snow, which worries Eredin greatly.
Zephyr approaches them, his sorrowful eyes fixed on Aria. "The forceful removal of the divine protection caused this," he tells Eredin in a somber tone. "Will she ever wake up?" Eredin asks, his sadness apparent as tears well up in his eyes. Zephyr doesn't answer. He doesn't know, and he doesn't want to break Eredin's heart or give him false hope.
Thalia approaches Zephyr. "You owe me, Zephyr. Bring my father back!" she demands, pressuring Zephyr despite her exhausted state. Zephyr looks at her and then at the sealed dark goddess. "I'll do what I can," he says, his eyes filled with determination to right his wrongs. "I won't let you die until you do this!" Thalia assures Zephyr that the only reason he is alive is that she needs him. Thalia's gaze then drifts to Elias, who is still recovering from having his gut blown off. He notices Thalia staring at him, and she quickly averts her gaze. She knows Elias only entered the fray because she got hurt, but she doesn't want to say anything. She doesn't know what to say after everything that has happened between them. Elias is still furious about his commander and comrades being killed, but deep down, he is angry with himself for still harboring feelings for the woman who killed them. He also remains silent, unsure of what to say.
Zephyr moves to check Asmodea's state, finding her bound in chains of light, her eyes gazing straight at him. He ponders how relatively easy it was to seal her and feels a sense of unease, but dismisses it. He believes this to be the strongest seal known to mankind, and if this doesn't hold her, nothing will. Zephyr then assists the King to his feet and tells the group, "We need to get out of here!" They all agree, recognizing the lingering danger. Zephyr also needs to devise a plan to restore the Royal Castle. Elias carries Aria, and they all head towards the exit.
Upon opening the door, they are met with a horrifying sight. Darkness has engulfed the royal capital, with demons and monsters roaming the streets. Dead bodies are scattered everywhere, blood soaks the pavement, and fires rage in the buildings and torn-down houses. Zephyr's eyes, however, are fixed on the still-open portals. He questions why they remain open even after he sealed the dark goddess. But his realization comes too late when a chilling, malicious voice echoes in their heads, "Playtime's over."
The group turns to see the source of the voice, only to be met with a horrifying sight. Asmodea's hand is gripping Thalia's beating heart, having skewered her chest with her bare hand. Thalia coughs up blood, her eyes growing hazy as she reaches out to Elias, who is paralyzed with shock. "That's for ruining my dress," Asmodea says in a terrifyingly playful tone, pulling her hand out of Thalia's body and discarding the heart. In an instant, she lunges at Elias, who is still holding Aria in his arms. "No!" Eredin shouts as he pushes Elias aside, taking Asmodea's attack. Blood splatters on the walls as Eredin is slashed across his torso by Asmodea's sharp claws. He kneels down, weakened and coughing up blood. The effects of his pills have long worn off.
Zephyr attempts to erect another barrier when he suddenly feels his head being torn asunder. He recognizes the feeling; the demon Thalassa, who once possessed him, is resurfacing. In his hands, he holds the King's neck, being wrung. The effects of the anti-possession pill are wearing off. He writhes in pain as he focuses his mind, trying to maintain control. "Not...yet," he fights desperately against the demon's forceful entry. The King is slowly suffocating. "You lose," the demon Thalassa's voice echoes loudly in his mind.
Asmodea is pleased with the turn of events, her gaze turning to the King. Zephyr tries his best to resist the demon, but it is too strong. Snap! Zephyr's eyes widen as he holds the King's lifeless body in his hands. With the sudden dire turn of events, Zephyr looks at the ritual seal that was easily destroyed by Asmodea. She was just toying with them from the start. This is the true might of the dark goddess. Shivers run down his spine as he realizes that nobody and nothing in this world can stop this being. Even with her powers incomplete, she is nearly omnipotent. In a panic, with everything now compromised, he is left with only one option. He needs to seal the demon, Thalassa within himself. Zephyr looks at Elias with sad eyes as he resigns to his fate. Then he looks at Asmodea with vengeful eyes and proclaims, "I will not let myself be a slave once more!"
Black veins appear on his body as the Demon Thalassa takes control. With all his might, Zephyr regains control of himself for a moment, slams his staff hard into the ground, and shouts, "Eternal Effigy of the Stone Dragon!" Asmodea and the demon Thalassa are caught off guard when Zephyr's body slowly begins to turn to stone. "You fool! Stop this!" The demon Thalassa's confidence turns into panic as she realizes she will be trapped within Zephyr. Asmodea locks eyes with Zephyr until his eyes succumb to petrification. The last thing Zephyr sees is Asmodea's smirk as she annoyingly acknowledges his move.
Now that Zephyr is petrified, Asmodea drifts her gaze towards Aria and notices something on her person. She slowly reaches her hand to grab her but is gripped by a strong hand. Eredin, who was at death's door, is now back in the fray. However, his appearance has changed drastically. His skin is now as black as coal, his eyes red, and scalding steam pours from his pores and mouth. He tightly grips Asmodea's hand and shouts at Elias, "Snap out of it, boy! Take Aria and escape!" He then pulls Asmodea away from them with incredible speed, dragging her across the floor, and throws her with all his might, causing her to crash into the wall.
Elias' mind returns to reality, and he remembers the transportation scroll Eredin gave him when they first met. He looks at Eredin engaging in combat with Asmodea and realizes that Eredin, in that state, will not be able to survive, whether he wins or loses. He looks at Thalia's lifeless body on the stone-cold floor one last time, tears streaming from his eyes as he loathes himself and his fate. He rips the scroll apart, activating it. A magic circle surrounds them, and in an instant they are engulfed in a bright light that streams upwards into the sky and then vanishes.
Eredin, seeing that they have escaped, experiences a moment of relief as he resigns himself to his fate. Asmodea looks at him and says, "You are a fine specimen." Eredin, unsure if she meant it to mock him or compliment him, knows that he has saved Aria, and that is enough for him. He can only wish to see her smile one last time. He is now at his limit; he would now pay the price for the boosting pills he took. His thoughts fade as he slowly dissipates into the wind, turning into ash.
Asmodea walks towards the door, greeted by a scene of carnage that brings a smile to her face. She looks at the horizon, watching as the clouds darken, finally released into the world. Her thoughts are consumed by the desire to bring destruction upon her dear sister and transform the beloved world into her own image. A world of death, famine, carnage, and terror. She raises her hand, releasing a surge of pure energy—a crimson pillar shooting straight into the heavens. Darkness spreads across the sky, expanding throughout the Kingdom of Merthol.
People from all over the world witness this event. From the Sorcelight Institute in the Kingdom of Mages to the Darklands ruled by the Drows, they all have thoughts of an ill omen that will come not too far into the future.
Not far from the Kingdom of Merthol, an army carrying the banner of Merthol comes to a halt as they witness the red pillar of light emanating from the capital. Among them is a golden-haired young man, dressed differently from the rest. His eyes are filled with questions. "My Prince, shall we continue marching towards the capital?" The man is the prince of Merthol, away from a diplomatic expedition. Despite his young age, he is already a seasoned warrior and diplomat, constantly dealing with alliances and spending time away from the kingdom. He looks at his attendant with seriousness in his eyes and says, "Let's go home."
In another part of the world, where the beastmen reign, a mountainous region filled with tents and huts, beastmen engage in fights and training. Atop a mountain, a one-eyed Beastman King sits on his throne, his one good purple eye observing the phenomenon at the skies from his seat. He gently touches his blind eye, covered by an eyepatch.
In a distant land, within the Kingdom of Elves where the Great Elder Tree resides, a golden-haired elf female Paladin, adorned in heavy armor and wielding a great shield, gazes at the red pillar of light. Her blue eyes are filled with both worry and intrigue. She then turns her attention to a broken sword resting on a stone slab.
And somewhere near the Kingdom of the Elves, close to the roots of the Great Elder Tree, by a river with a small waterfall, inside a small cabin, Aria Nightbloom, the half-elf apothecary, opens her eyes for the first time.
