Somewhere far away. Far beyond mortal lands. Far beyond Nyroxia. Even far beyond places maps could ever reach, there existed a place untouched by sunlight. A place forgotten.... Or perhaps — Hidden. Darkness lived there differently. Not the kind darkness born from night. No... This darkness breathed. It stretched endlessly across ruined stone halls and broken lands where whispers moved without mouths and shadows shifted without command. A place where spirits gathered. A place where forgotten things still lingered. A place where even fear feared itself. The dark minors kept their secrets there.
And tonight, something had changed. Figures moved through the darkness. Silently..... Cloaked in black. Their faces hidden beneath deep hoods. Some moved like men. Others — Not entirely. Behind them, shadows twisted unnaturally across the floor, moving as though alive. They were watching, waiting and listening. They formed a circle.
Silence traveled for a while. The gathering stopped. Nobody spoke. Nobody dared.
Then, one stepped forward. A cloaked figure bowed low.
"We succeeded, My lord"
Silence answered. The figure carefully placed two objects upon the cold stone.
One glowed faintly. Silver..... Ancient. The crescent symbol shimmered softly.
The Artifact. Beside it, a vial. Dark crimson liquid shifted slowly inside. Almost breathing. Almost alive.
"The Blood," another whispered quietly.
A low sound echoed through the chamber. Not a voice. Not fully. It was something older. Something that did not belong to flesh. The air shifted violently. The darkness itself stirred. And then, the Voice came, slowly...
"You have done..... well." It said with a heavy tone
Every figure lowered themselves immediately.
The Voice continued.
"The Artifact....." A pause.
"The Blood....." Another pause..... Longer.
"But still...." The chamber darkened. The shadows trembled.
"It is not enough." Silence swallowed the room. Nobody dared speak. Nobody dared breathe too loudly.
One cloaked disciple finally bowed deeper.
"My Lord....."
"What more do you seek?"
For a long moment, nothing answered. Only whispers moving through unseen corners. Then, the Voice returned. Quieter and more dangerous.
"There is another." The words echoed unnaturally.
"Older."
"Greater."
"Forgotten."
A material so ancient, even its name had nearly vanished. The chamber grew colder. Nobody moved. Nobody asked questions. Because questions had consequences.
The Voice shifted. It was calmer now.
"You have served well." The shadows stirred proudly. The cloaked figures lowered their heads. Praise from the vioce was rare..... Dangerously rare.
"And my disciples...." The air softened.
"For this..."
"You shall be rewarded." A pause.
Then, something else...Amusement.
"Especially...."
The Voice slowed.
"My beloved...."
They were all silent.
One cloaked figure stood motionless near the back. Still hidden.... Still unseen.
The Voice laughed softly. A sound too unnatural to be comforting.
"You performed beautifully."
No one spoke. No one reacted. Only silence.
Suddenly, the atmosphere changed. The Voice deepened.... Growing darker.
"There is still one thing I desire." The floor trembled faintly. The shadows pulled closer, listening.
The Voice lowered. Almost a whisper.
"I grow tired...." A pause.
"....of existing like this." The darkness twisted violently around the chamber.
For one brief moment, something enormous shifted behind the shadows.
It was a shape. Impossible to fully see. Too broken and incomplete. Then, gone. Only darkness remained.
The Voice became cold. Sharp and commanding this time.
"Find me...." A pause..... Long enough to unsettle every soul present in that meeting.
".... a new body." Silence followed.
The shadows moved instantly obedient. The disciples bowed lower. Orders had been given.
And somewhere, Unaware, someone had just become part of a much bigger game.
The Artifact rested quietly. The Blood shifted slowly. Almost waiting. As though they already knew.....
The real story….. Had only just begun.
To be Continued....🌓