In a hidden region of Europa, a land steeped in death and decay stretched without end.
The ground was barren and cracked, the air heavy and stale. At its center rose a black Magus tower, narrow and towering, like a spear driven into the sky that isolated this secret plane.
At the very top lay the throne room.
It was vast and oppressive, cloaked in dim shadows. Rows of black stone pillars lined the chamber. At the far end, upon a raised dais, stood a dark throne carved from obsidian-like stone.
Seated upon it was a lich.
He was the Cult Leader of the Cult of Bones.
He was the founder of the Twilight Brotherhood.
He was... Aldo Wagner.
The lich wore dark robes and a black crown. His skeletal fra was wrapped in dense, stygian energy that moved like a living shroud around him, radiating malice throughout the hall.
On either side of the throne stood four figures.
To the lich's left were Leland Haynam, the Stone Lord, and Marden Benton, the Blood Lord.
Leland stood unmoving, broad and solid, his presence steady and unmovable like the mountain. Beside him, Marden's gaze was sharp and watchful, a faint crimson light gleaming in his eyes.
To the lich's right stood Alain Gray, the Wind Lord, and Iroh Silvas, the Fla Lord. Alan's robes stirred as if caught in a wind no one else could feel. anwhile, Iroh's eyes burned with intensity, heat radiating subtly around his figure.
These were the Elders of the Inner Circle, the most powerful Magi within the organization, second only to the Cult Leader himself.
Below them, filling the vast hall in disciplined rows, stood countless Mana Core Magi of the Cult. Their auras layered together into a thick, suffocating pressure that pressed against the very walls.
Each of them stood ready for battle, awaiting their master's command.
The green orbs of light in the depths of Wagner's hollow sockets flickered subtly. Then, he rapped his bony index finger on the throne's handrest.
Tap!
Leland stepped forward from his position beside the throne. He ca to stand before the assembled Magi, his heavy presence drawing all attention toward him.
Acting as the Cult Leader's spokesperson, he faced the hall with a solemn look on his face, his voice carrying easily through the vast hall.
"As you all know, the Winter Lord has fallen."
A faint murmur rippled through the ranks. Until now, this had only been a rumor. But the Stone Lord had just confird it. Needless to say, everyone was beyond shocked.
"He was not slain by the Brotherhood. Nor by any known kingdom or alliance. His killer belongs to a new faction, one that has recently erged from the shadows."
Leland's gaze swept over the assembled Magi, his eyes narrowing.
"We know almost nothing about them. We do not know their numbers. We do not know where they operate from. We do not know how far their influence has spread."
He paused briefly.
"But we do know this: they are led by a Magus powerful enough to defeat the Winter Lord."
His expression turned dark.
"In recent months, we have also uncovered another matter."
His voice grew colder.
"Soone among us disclosed the Winter Lord's movents to the
Brotherhood. And that was not all. Highly classified intelligence has been leaked. Operations we have sustained for centuries were forced to shut down, and assets we cultivated over generations were exposed."
Leland paused, his gaze flashing sharply.
"Many of our spies, loyal servants to our cause who worked within enemy ranks for years, are now dead! The scale of this breach is unprecedented in the history of our Cult."
He paused again, letting the tension and pressure build up.
"The one responsible for this betrayal stands among you. And we already know
who it is."
The Magi in the hall reacted in different ways.
So looked furious, fists clenched, their hearts flaring with anger at the thought of betrayal. Others stiffened, unease flashing across their faces. The Cult had a long history of executing anyone who even hinted at suspicion.
Yet beneath the tension, there was also restraint. For a matter of this magnitude, everyone knew that a proper investigation would have been carried out. The accusation would not have been made quietly.
That was why only the Mana Core Magi of the Cult had been gathered on this day. After all, for a leak of such intensity, it had to have been done by a Mana Core Magus with access to the Cult's sensitive information.
As the Magi in the hall tensely waited for Leland to call out the traitor,
suddenly...
Tap!
Everyone, including the Elders, turned to the lich on the throne.
The green orbs in Wagner's sockets flared intensely. His jaws opened, and a cold, grating voice echoed in the hall:
"Treachery is a sin."
The next mont, the lich disappeared from his throne.
A mont later, he reappeared before an elderly Magus in the crowd. His skeletal hand shot forward, bony fingers clamping over the man's face. Wagner's dark cape billowed behind him as he turned slightly, addressing the hall. His jaw opened once more, his voice cold and absolute.
"And the punishnt is undeath."
"N-No!" The elderly man scread in terror. "I had no choice! I was-"
The man tried to scream, but no sound escaped him.
A dark force flooded into his body from the lich's grasp. His voice was
smothered. His limbs jerked violently as his flesh began to sag and lt, draining of color and life. Wrinkles deepened into cracks. Skin sloughed away in
patches, revealing bone beneath.
Within monts, the Mana Core Magus was reduced to a lifeless husk. It had
taken no effort at all.
Then, a second later, the corpse moved.
The empty shell rose stiffly to his feet, eyes dull and hollow. Bound by the lich's
will, it stood in obedience before slowly dissolving into a stream of shadow, rging seamlessly into the darkness at Wagner's feet.
The cultists standing nearby recoiled in horror, stumbling back and quickly clearing a path for their lord. None dared to et the lich's gaze. Wagner stepped away from the ranks calmly, his dark presence parting the
crowd as he walked toward the towering gates at the far end of the hall.
"Marden," he called out in a cold voice.
The Blood Lord vanished from the raised dais and reappeared behind Wagner, respectfully walking behind him with his head lowered.
"At your service."
"What of Indus?" Wagner asked in a low voice.
Marden's face displayed utmost obedience as he said:
"The Vasuran Empire is yours for the taking, great master."
"Good." The lich coldly nodded.
"We shall comnce the grand purge... by first conquering Indus."
Aldo Wagner and the Cult of Bones had finally made their move!!
User Comments
0 comments from readers