Rey floated close to the ground, evil, black flames surrounding her from all sides. Frightening, shadowy claws ripped at the cocoon of flames, unable to penetrate it.
"Ghost king, time for you to submit!"
"Submit?! You want this king to submit?! Hahaha you deserve to die a thousand times over!"
The voice came from everywhere, condescending and brimming with ire. However, Rey suddenly grinned. In his rage the ghost king showed a momentary lapse in his attacks. It was such a brief moment, but Rey made perfect use of it.
The evil flames suddenly flared up, spreading terrifying heat. The flames transformed under Rey's will. Incessant hissing rang out as the evil flames surprisingly began to devour the ubiquitous darkness. Like a wildfire on a dry summer day the flames feasted on the darkness, becoming a wall of flames, spreading towards the surroundings.
"Get out!"
Oru immediately recognized the danger. He turned around, rushing towards the group, signaling them to leave. The other warriors naturally wouldn't stay and face the flames, they hastily escaped as well. An invisible force spread from Oru, forming an energy field behind him, slowing the spread of the flames.
Suddenly a high-pitched screech pierced the air. Oru glanced upwards and noticed a tall shadow at the boundary between the darkness and the flames. It was the ghost king who tried to fight against the flames but swiftly found his body burning. He turned into a drifting smoke and darted away.
A few seconds later Oru managed to break out of the darkness. Even the murky grey fog suddenly appeared welcoming. The rest of the group had already gained a safe distance. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the large, dark dome which seemed to gradually reveal some holes.
The ghost king floated somewhere above the dome. Oru couldn't see him, but he could feel his presence. Suddenly his instincts kicked in. The seasoned warrior jumped to the side. A frightening claw, black, sharp like the claw of a brutal predator, shot out of the darkness, aiming straight for Oru's back.
"Hmpf. Is this all you, a king, are capable of?"
Oru was somewhat dismissive. He had already analyzed the strength of the ghost king. Although it could be called a king for its ability to control other ghosts, its actual power level was not that high. Oru casually swung his staff and the claw shattered like broken glass.
"Daring to mock this king?!"
The voice sounded close to Oru's ear. A shiver ran down his back, but the warrior was not caught off guard. An energy field spread around him. The two dark claws coming for him slowed down, giving Oru more than enough time to respond.
"Afraid of Rey so you target me? Pathetic!"
Oru laughed lightly, deliberately provoking the ghost king. His staff twirled around, striking the spot where the ghost had appeared just now. Although the ghost king attacked first, Oru's staff was faster. The ghost king had no choice but to drift backwards, his moves elusive. Even the energy field couldn't slow him down much.
"Submit!"
Suddenly a shout full of authority could be heard. The dome of darkness was entirely consumed by flames at this moment, soaring high into the sky, radiating a brutal aura of violence. Wails and screams could be heard as a few ghosts didn't manage to escape in time. They had already submitted to their queen and yet they were still ruthlessly killed in the flames.
Rey didn't pity those few ghosts. If she could get the ghost king under control, it wouldn't be difficult to form an entire army. She waved her hands and the tall flames turned into a torrent which rushed right at the ghost king.
"Never! Never! I am the king!"
There was despair in the ghost king's voice. Its tall body kept shrinking as it hurled claw after claw at the dreadful flames. But Rey remained relentless. Her flames surrounded the ghost king, giving it no chance to escape. Even Oru was forced to retreat.
"This king will never bow his head!"
The ghost king's roars became weaker. The flames closed in. The ghost king resolved to die. But at that moment the evil flames suddenly stopped their advance. The ghost king was granted a momentary rest, but he didn't feel much relief because of it.
At this moment the ghost king noticed a movement among the flames surrounding him from all sides. A few flames parted and granted Rey passage. Clad in black the woman held her head high, staring at the ghost king with a regal demeanor. An air of authority emanated from her. Rey pushed her aura to the limit, constantly impacting the ghost king's mental resistance.
"NO!"
Suddenly the ghost king tried to struggle for one last time. He dashed forward, his claws aiming for Rey's heart.
"Dying together? Are you worthy?"
Rey sounded incredibly haughty. She stretched her hand in front of her body. Evil flames erupted, forming a big hand which grabbed the ghost king's head. The latter was powerless to avoid it. He felt despair and helplessness as Rey picked him up like a chicken. The ghost king stared at the woman's cold eyes. His last struggle ceased. His mentality was broken. Staring at Rey he could only see his perfect queen, whom he would give everything for.
"My queen!"
Rey smirked as the ghost king called out. Well, he couldn't be called a king anymore. Perhaps general would be a fitting title. With a flick of her hand Rey roughly threw the ghost general onto the ground. Of course, the latter didn't dare to show any sign of displeasure. He propped up his body, bowed lightly, and waited for orders.
The flames quickly died down. Rey retracted her aura and closed her eyes. Oru walked up to her.
"Are you ok?"
"Sure."
Oru raised his brow but didn't say anything. He could see that Rey's skin had become quite dark, a sign of fatigue. Her hands were shaking. Oru assumed that Rey stopped herself from massaging her temples. A queen couldn't show weakness.
"Well, with the ghost king subdued this Ghost Reign Valley should pose no danger to us. We can rest for a few hours."
"Haha, Rey, you are awesome!"
"Perhaps this place will soon have to change names."
"Or our Feathered Blade can build a base here."
The rest of the group caught up at that moment. They were chatting excitedly. But a glance from Oru immediately caused them to tune it down.
After Rey recovered somewhat she ordered the ghost general to show them around Ghost Reign Valley. There were some caves here, birthing valuable minerals which were conductive to the growth of ghosts. However, if warriors and sorceress carried these materials on their bodies, their will would be gradually strengthened which was of great advantage to the use of powerful spells.
On the way, and especially around the caves, the group came across a large number of ghosts. Oru's face turned somewhat grave. If these ghosts one day decided that occupying Ghost Reign Valley was not enough anymore and spread over the Boneplains, they would be the doom of countless warriors. Perhaps Rey should find a way to get rid of most of these ghosts before she returned to her own world.
At the center of the valley stood a massive black tree. Its fruits could temporarily boost one's sensitivity to spells. Unfortunately, the ghost general had consumed most of the fruits already as this was his previous dwelling place. Now it became the resting spot for the group. With nearly a thousand ghosts keeping watch there was no need to fear other threats.
However, some people couldn't help but doubt whether Rey could really keep her control over such an army of ghosts. They glanced towards the impressive sorceress who had just taken place on a throne made from branches which she had the ghosts build.
Rey reached out with her hand. One of the weaker ghosts quickly rushed towards her. It transformed into a small shadow sphere which landed on Rey's hand. She closed her eyes and the shadow visibly shrunk as comfortable energy streamed through the sorceress's body.
A few of the warriors around couldn't help but take a sharp breath. If they doubted Rey's ability to control ghosts before, those thoughts surely disappeared right then. After all, could there be a higher level of control than getting a ghost to sacrifice itself to nourish its queen?
Rey had the ghosts prepare a few more chairs for the rest of the group. One couldn't get a much more comfortable place of rest in the Boneplains. After about ten hours of travel everyone felt some light weariness. The warriors took turns napping. Yet they were still on a mission. They couldn't waste too much time. After another hour or so the group continued. Followed by an army of ghosts they reached the other end of the Ghost Reign Valley. They left the place behind, now nearly deserted, and advanced deeper into the Boneplains.