The ruins of Velkar Temple stood silent beneath the gray mountain sky.
Broken pillars and ancient stones covered the area.
But the silence was deceptive.
Dark energy filled the air.
Captain Leon immediately realized the situation.
"This is a trap."
The Void Cult members slowly surrounded the royal knights.
There were at least twenty of them.
Each wearing black robes and masks.
The cult leader stepped forward calmly.
His glowing eyes watched the knights like a predator observing prey.
"You arrived faster than I expected."
Captain Leon drew his sword.
"Royal Knights! Battle formation!"
The soldiers quickly moved into position.
Shields raised.
Weapons ready.
Even though they were outnumbered, none of them hesitated.
They were elite knights of the kingdom.
The cult leader smiled slightly.
"Such loyalty…"
"But unfortunately…"
He raised his hand.
Dark mana exploded outward.
"…it will not save you."
Suddenly the cultists attacked.
Dark magic shot through the air like arrows.
"Defend!"
The royal knights raised magical barriers.
Clashes of steel and bursts of magic echoed through the ruins.
One knight charged forward and cut down a cultist.
Another blocked a dark spell with his shield.
The battle quickly became chaotic.
But something was wrong.
The cultists were too calm.
Too confident.
Captain Leon noticed it immediately.
"They're not trying to win…"
"They're delaying us."
Just then—
the cult leader began walking toward the center of the ruined temple.
Leon's eyes widened.
"Stop him!"
Two knights rushed forward.
But the cult leader didn't even look at them.
He simply snapped his fingers.
Dark spikes suddenly burst from the ground.
The knights were thrown backward.
Leon rushed forward with his sword glowing with mana.
"Your enemy is me!"
The cult leader finally turned toward him.
Their eyes met.
Then the man smiled.
"Ah… the captain of the Royal Knights."
"This should be entertaining."
Leon attacked instantly.
His sword moved like lightning.
CLANG!
The cult leader blocked it using a blade made entirely of darkness.
Shockwaves spread across the temple ruins.
Leon realized something immediately.
"This man… is extremely strong."
Meanwhile—
inside the ruined temple structure behind them—
several cultists were activating a strange magical circle.
Ancient symbols glowed with dark energy.
One of the cultists whispered nervously.
"The ritual is almost ready."
Back in the palace—
Saksham suddenly stood up from his chair.
His heart was beating fast.
He could feel the darkness energy again.
But now it was stronger.
Much stronger.
Inside his mind, the system flashed urgently.
SYSTEM WARNING
Critical Event Detected
Void Ritual in Progress
Location:
Velkar Temple Ruins
Threat Level:
Extreme
Saksham's eyes narrowed.
"A ritual…?"
He immediately ran toward the window of the library.
Far away in the northern mountains—
a massive vortex of dark clouds was forming.
Something terrible was about to be summoned.
Back at the ruins—
Captain Leon was still fighting the cult leader.
Their weapons clashed again and again.
But suddenly—
the magical circle inside the temple activated.
Dark energy shot into the sky.
The cult leader laughed loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"You're too late!"
Leon turned toward the temple.
"No…!"
A massive pulse of darkness erupted from the ruins.
The ground trembled violently.
And from inside the darkness…
something began to move.
To be continued…