Aranal, Haynam Empire.
Emperor Leland stood on the balcony as he gazed at the sprawling city before him. A crumpled parchment lay clasped in his hand, its contents causing a frown to mark his face.
The Wind Lord, Alain Gray, stood beside him, his arms crossed and his expression equally dark. "How bad is it?" he asked.
Leland clenched his teeth. "It's bad, Alain," he said. "Very bad."
The parchment contained the latest report of the casualties within the Empire's territory. It spoke of the number of Mana Core Magi that had died in the past year alone.
And the cause of their deaths?
The Dark King.
"How many?" The Wind Lord pressed.
"Too many!" The parchment in Leland's hand crumbled to dust. "Dozens of Magi have been killed in these past few months alone. The last of the great prisons has fallen as well."
"And the experiment subject?" Alain asked, referring to the four-headed undead.
"Gone." Leland let out a heavy sigh.
