In a flash, Valon's scythe collided with a grotesque hand—its nails long and jagged.

  Valon narrowed his eyes. "Hmm? A mutant? Curious..."

  He swung again, but the creature didn't react.

  Suddenly, the creature lunged—grabbing Lamis and sprinting away on all fours.

  Valon watched, stunned. "Unexpected... The plague is evolving... strangely."

  His expression darkened. He whispered, "Azalor..."

  —

  The creature dragged Lamis far from the village, then stopped and dropped her gently to the snow.

  "Apologies," it rasped.

  Lamis scrambled backward, terrified. "Who are you? Why did you help me? If you want information—I don't know anythings!"

  The creature's red eyes glowed. Its body was torn, twisted. Its hands were malformed, grotesque.

  "I want nothing," it said.

  "You... you can speak?" Lamis gasped. "You're not like the others. Are you tricking me? Am I hallucinating?"

  The creature nodded. "Yes... I can speak."

  It turned and walked away.

  Lamis stood. "Wait... Where are you going?"

  "Isn't it obvious?" he said. "I'm going to kill that wretch."

  "You're insane! You're infected—and you want to kill death itself? He's too powerful!"

  The creature stopped. "Then what do we do? Watch? Wait for the traitor prince? He fled to Aurik—he knew our fate!"

  "I don't know where the prince went," Lamis said. "But I believe he suffers as we do. the princess is infected... just like you. You know that."

  The creature turned slowly.

  "My father believed in him. My mother too..."

  Lamis's hands trembled, bloodied and raw.

  The creature stepped closer. Lamis tensed.

  "My name is Shadi," he said. "I'm from a neighboring village."

  Lamis blinked. "Shadi... What happened to your people?"

  He didn't answer. He turned. "Come. We need to move. That man may be hunting us."

  He glanced at her hand. "You must discard the green gem."

  Lamis clutched it tightly.

  "He can track us through it. I helped you once. I won't help again."

  Her hand trembled. She stared at the gem, tears falling.

  She knelt in the snow, digging until her fingers reached the earth. She buried it gently.

  "When this ends... I'll come back for it."

  Shadi nodded. "Let's go."

  Lamis followed. "Where are we going?"

  "Isn't it obvious? We're escaping."

  "To where?"

  Shadi sighed. "You ask too much. There's a nearby area. I saw tents glowing at night. I've been watching. They might help us."

  "Tents? What are they doing here?"

  "I don't know. But the place is crowded at night... like a celebration."

  —

  They approached the distant glow.

  Lamis squinted—red tents shimmered in the snow.

  Shadi whispered, "We'll ask for help... or carve our way in."

  Lamis nodded. "I hope so..."

  The Poisoned Summit

  Weeks earlier...

  Macfreden walked slowly through the high, snow-laden peaks, his cloak trailing behind him. At his side, Valon kept pace, silent and watchful.

  "This place stirs memories," Macfreden murmured. "It was here I battled that foolish mage from Linovard. He was strong... and far too clever. He stopped me from destroying this wretched planet. Were it not for him, history would have recorded the great avalanche that buried Silva beneath ice and ruin."

  Valon nodded. "Yes... I remember his power it was quite... formidable."

  Macfreden raised his weapon, pointing toward a vast valley below. "Look there. He carved that chasm to halt the avalanche."

  He laughed—loud and echoing across the cliffs.

  Valon's voice was steady. " Mighty Macfreden, don't forget why we're here. Even after the Luminous Tree was destroyed, Bastet still holds sway over Silva's balance. He uses magic to preserve the calm."

  The two vanished—reappearing before a towering waterfall that plunged into a deep, frozen gorge.

  "Ah... the Avaloza Mountains," Macfreden said. "Birthplace of those idiotic knights. Bastet's homeland. And the source of Lake Leona's waters."

  "If we poison this stream," Valon said, "we'll tighten our grip on Leona—more than Dais or Azalor ever did."

  Macfreden narrowed his eyes. "What are you suggesting?"

  Valon replied, "We must eliminate the Demigod first. He guards the summit—the highest point on this pitiful world. It regulates the planet's climate. With the Luminous Tree gone, we'll gain unprecedented power. No one will be able to stop you."

  Macfreden laughed again, louder this time. "I like the sound of that."

  "Begin with the Luna waterfall," Valon said. "I've brought someone who can drink the tainted water... and reach Bastet."

  Macfreden raised his weapon toward the falls.

  A black aura surged from the blade. A beam of shadow struck the water.

  The once-pure stream turned violet—translucent and sickly.

  Macfreden laughed, the sound echoing like thunder through the mountains.

  The Fall of Bastet

  Valon raised his scythe.

  A spectral glow emerged—the soul of Princess Lina.

  A gate opened.

  Two cloaked figures stepped through, carrying her lifeless body. They cast it before Valon.

  He pointed at her.

  Her eyes snapped open—unnaturally wide.

  Valon seized her by the throat and hurled her into the waterfall.

  Macfreden faded into the mist, gazing at the emerald comet blazing across the sky.

  "Wait for me, child... Fighting Bastet directly could trigger something annoying”

  —

  Valon watched as Lina's body drifted, then stirred—returning to life.

  He vanished.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  Moments later, he reappeared at a vast mountain gorge.

  He raised his scythe.

  A gate opened.

  Soulless bodies spilled forth.

  The scythe trembled—spirits surged into the corpses.

  The dead awoke.

  Another gate opened—dark and violent.

  From it emerged twisted beasts, monstrous and wild.

  The reanimated humans screamed and fled.

  The monsters chased them.

  —

  A voice thundered across the ice.

  "Who dares defile the Avaloza Peaks? Who dares awaken Bastet's wrath?"

  Valon vanished.

  Bastet appeared, watching the chaos unfold.

  He raised his hand.

  A blizzard erupted—freezing everything in its path.

  Even the waterfall turned to ice.

  Then—Princess Lina appeared, weeping.

  Bastet stepped forward. "A child of Leona's royal blood?"

  A gate opened.

  Knights in black armor charged toward her.

  Bastet vanished like a gust of wind—reappearing with Lina in his arms.

  He stood firm. "I defeated you once. I'll do it again."

  He raised his hand.

  The knights froze.

  He clenched his fist.

  The ice shattered—the knights crumbled.

  More gates opened.

  Cursed villagers and beasts surged forward.

  Bastet roared, "Avaloza! Hear my call!"

  From the caverns and snowdrifts, massive white bears and frost creatures emerged.

  They clashed with the cursed horde.

  Bastet turned. "I must descend. Something stirs beneath these mountains..."

  "When this ends, we'll cleanse Silva of these abominations."

  He looked back. "Are you alright, Princess?"

  Lina's eyes glowed violet.

  She stabbed him with a magical dagger.

  A violet aura surrounded her.

  Bastet gasped. "Impossible..."

  He collapsed—transforming into a massive white bear.

  Valon appeared behind him.

  Bastet opened his eyes.

  Valon raised his scythe.

  Bastet's soul was torn from his body.

  The frost beasts fled. The ice creatures vanished.

  Valon chuckled softly. "Well done..."

  Lina blinked, terrified. "What... happened?"

  Valon twirled his scythe. "Nothing."

  He drew her soul.

  She collapsed.

  A dark gate opened.

  Figures emerged and carried her away.

  Valon gazed at Bastet's fallen form. "That was easier than I expected..."

  Cold winds swirled. Snow fell. Clouds twisted unnaturally across the sky.

  The waterfall began to flow again.

  Valon smiled, took Bastet's heart, and vanished.

  —

  Macfreden walked toward the coast.

  Valon appeared, holding the heart.

  Macfreden laughed. "So! The snow beast has fallen! And the snow begins to fall!"

  Valon nodded. "Let's poison the heights of Avaloza... give this snow a purpose."

  Macfreden and Valon disappeared.

  The Map Beneath the Blood

  Elsewhere—

  Mowj and Lidra dodged the strikes of infected townsfolk, advancing swiftly through the snow.

  "Winds of Lajira!" Mowj shouted.

  A gust surged from his hand.

  The beasts collapsed, unconscious.

  "Well done," Lidra said, pressing forward.

  Mowj followed—until he spotted Valon and Macfreden in the distance.

  He grabbed Lidra and pulled her into a nearby cabin.

  Inside, a young girl stared at them. "Who are you?"

  Mowj met her gaze. Lidra stood beside him.

  "Don't be afraid," Lidra said gently.

  "We're here to help," Mowj added.

  The girl glanced back—her younger brother clung to her leg.

  "My name is Shahrazad," she said. "You're not from here. Your clothes... your ears..."

  She pointed at Mowj's ear.

  He raised his hand. "Lower your voice. I promise—I'll find a way to cure this disease."

  Shahrazad studied him.

  Lidra's eyes drifted to a bloodstained door.

  "That door?" she asked.

  "She's fine!" Shahrazad cried. "Don't touch her!"

  Mowj turned to Lidra. "Who is she?"

  Shahrazad stepped in front of the door, hand outstretched. Her brother sobbed.

  "My mother... The prince will come soon. He'll bring the cure. Please... don't hurt her."

  Mowj's expression darkened. He clenched his fist. "I might be able to heal her..."

  Lidra looked at him. "Wait—are you sure?"

  Mowj stepped toward the door, cautiously.

  Shahrazad watched him, noticing his unblinking eye. She stepped aside.

  "What's your name, child?" Lidra asked.

  "Shahrazad."

  Lidra smiled, glancing at the boy. "Your brother's adorable."

  "Do you know where the lake is?" Lidra asked.

  Shahrazad shook her head. "No... but my father kept a map. You might find something useful."

  Mowj opened the door slowly.

  Inside—Shahrazad's mother, bound to a chair.

  "You tied her?" he asked.

  "Yes," Shahrazad said. "The High Advisor, Mr. Aref, helped us. He promised he'd bring the cure."

  Lidra's eyes narrowed. "The High Advisor Aref... That's valuable. There are others resisting. We may need to find them."

  Shahrazad opened a chest filled with papers.

  "Need help?" Lidra asked.

  "Yes... please."

  They searched together. Her brother watched silently.

  Mowj entered quietly, gazing at Shahrazad's mother.

  Her body had begun to change.

  He closed his eyes.

  A green aura emerged from his hand.

  "Mowj!" Lidra called. "I found the lake!"

  The Green Comet and the Violet Curse

  Mowj closed his eyes.

  Above, the green comet flared violently—piercing the thick clouds that veiled Leona's sky. Snow poured from the breach.

  He opened his eyes.

  Before him stood Senil, smiling. "Mowj... mend what I have broken."

  Mowj's gaze sharpened.

  A surge of power erupted from his body—a green aura enveloped him. His pupils glowed softly, lit by a verdant beam.

  "Clarity... of Winter..."

  Shahrazad's mother trembled.

  Lidra stepped forward. "Mowj? Are you alright?"

  Black dust spilled from Shahrazad's mother's body.

  Lidra gasped. "Impossible... Mowj... you truly are..."

  Shahrazad's mother convulsed—then slowly returned to her human form.

  Shahrazad wept quietly. Her younger brother stepped forward, eyes wide.

  Their mother opened her eyes, voice trembling. "My daughter...?"

  Shahrazad ran to embrace her. Her brother joined, sobbing.

  Lidra turned to Mowj. "You did it! You found it! You did it!"

  Mowj smiled. "This disease... it's Senil's design. He lived here. Studied here."

  "Well done," Lidra said, embracing him. "We found the lake's location. Let's move!"

  Mowj nodded, following her as she carried the map.

  Shahrazad called out. "You! What's your name?"

  He turned, smiling. "Mowj."

  She bowed, guiding her brother to do the same. "Thank you, Mowj. We'll never forget your kindness."

  "I'm not finished yet," Mowj said. "We'll cleanse the source."

  Lidra added, "Lock the doors. Don't take the treatment until we return."

  Shahrazad nodded. "Understood."

  "Let's go," Lidra said.

  They ran through the alleys.

  "Mowj, we must hurry! Those we saw... they vanished. They were planning something."

  "I know. Where's the lake?"

  "It's... beneath the royal palace!"

  Mowj nodded. They sprinted.

  Mutants spotted them—charging.

  "Winds of Lajira!" Mowj shouted.

  The beasts collapsed.

  Lidra fired green arrows at the walls—slowing the infected with magical pulses.

  One creature stepped forward—blood and saliva dripping from its mouth.

  Mowj raised the green gem. "Clarity of Winter!"

  The mutant collapsed, vomiting a strange substance—then reverted to human form.

  They rushed toward the palace.

  —

  Commander Basel looked up.

  A green aura shimmered above the city. The comet blazed between the clouds.

  "Men! With me!"

  He ran toward the source of the aura.

  A man trembled—his body returning to normal.

  "Commander!" a soldier cried. "He's... healing!"

  Basel's eyes widened. "Keep moving! Someone's found the cure. It might be the prince! This path leads to the palace—move!"

  —

  Mowj and Lidra pressed forward.

  —

  High in the mountains—

  At the summit of Avaloza—

  Valon raised his scythe. "Here, Macfreden the Great. Place your power here. Everything you desire will unfold."

  Macfreden stepped forward.

  A massive bear approached.

  "Out of my way," he growled.

  The bear disintegrated.

  He raised his weapon.

  A violet beam struck the mountain's peak.

  The sky roared. Snow fell in torrents.

  Valon watched as beasts charged—white bears and frost creatures.

  He smiled, slashing his scythe—cutting through the beasts.

  They retaliated with icy blasts.

  Valon struck the air—spirits surged forth, tearing through the frost beasts.

  More emerged from the caverns.

  "Harvest Day," Valon whispered.

  He cleaved the air—spirits screamed, dropping the beasts in waves.

  Macfreden watched the summit darken—turning violet and shadowed.

  His expression shifted.

  Valon, mid-battle, called out. "What's wrong?"

  "The child... he's resisting the spell."

  Valon slashed another beast. "Impossible. How could he match your power?"

  Macfreden laughed. "That's why I care so much. Look—"

  He pointed to the comet, glowing fiercely.

  Valon turned toward the city.

  A green aura enveloped it. Black ash rose from scattered points.

  Macfreden said, "I'll return shortly. Enjoy the frost beasts. They're trying to refreeze what we've melted."

  Valon nodded, still fighting.

  Macfreden vanished.

  ---

  The Poison Beneath the Palace

  Mowj and Lidra reached the palace gates, descending swiftly into the lower corridors beneath the royal grounds.

  As they turned a corner, a figure stood motionless ahead.

  Lidra narrowed her eyes. "Look—someone's blocking the path. That corridor leads to the lake!"

  Around them, the aftermath of a brutal battle: fallen mutants, collapsed soldiers of Leona, shattered dark-armored knights, and fading members of the Black Order. The air still pulsed with the echo of magic.

  Mowj's voice was sharp. "It's Azalor."

  Lidra raised her bow. "He's trying to stop us."

  Azalor placed his hand on the stone wall. A surge of black energy pulsed outward—opening a massive passage beneath the palace.

  Then he vanished.

  "He's gone!" Mowj shouted, running forward.

  "Is it a trap?" Lidra asked.

  "I don't know. But we have to move. I feel something watching us."

  She nodded, sprinting beside him.

  Suddenly—a crash.

  A man fell from a nearby rooftop. "Ah! My back!"

  Lidra spun, bow drawn. "Who are you?"

  The man stood, brushing off dust. "Lidra?! The librarian? I didn't expect to see you here! This is a terrible time for a visit!"

  "No time to explain!" she called. "If you want to help—follow us!"

  "But—what's going on? The prince is waiting—!"

  He watched them run, sighed, and followed. "Fine..."

  They reached the lake.

  It was vast—and corrupted. The water shimmered with a translucent violet hue. The chamber was massive, and the current was strong.

  Lidra scanned the cavern. Crystals glowed faintly along the walls.

  Fouad arrived behind them. His expression shifted. "You! What are you doing? That water reeks of poison—it's not safe to drink!"

  Lidra smirked. "Look at you... sounding like an expert."

  Fouad glanced at her. His weapon, Mercury, pulsed with strange energy. "We need to leave."

  Mowj knelt beside the water, placing his hand into it. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

  Visions flooded his mind.

  A black gate appeared within the cavern.

  Two figures emerged—Azalor and Uncle Senil.

  Leaves swirled in the wind.

  A lone figure stood before them, sword drawn, facing the once-pure lake.

  The Guardian of Silva.

  He fought to protect the waters.

  He struck down the dark-armored knights. He obliterated the Black Order's agents.

  He charged Azalor.

  Senil slammed his staff to the ground. A glowing green circle trapped the Guardian in place.

  Azalor unleashed a black bolt, wrapped in violet energy. "Submit. Obey."

  The Guardian struggled—then fell to his knees, frozen.

  Azalor laughed, stepping forward with Senil.

  They raised their staffs.

  A green beam from Senil. A violet-black surge from Azalor.

  The lake changed—its color deepened to a dark, unnatural blue.

  Azalor smiled. "It's done. Soon, we'll see the fruits of our labor."

  A sound echoed behind them.

  The stone wall shifted—but did not move.

  Azalor struck the Guardian with his staff. The body vanished.

  The Black Order faded. The fallen dissolved.

  Only Senil remained.

  Then—King Rabah entered, flanked by Princess Lina, Prince Lucas, and their Prime spear guard.

  "Did you notice?" Rabah asked.

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Senil replied. "I've added compounds that will enhance our soldiers' stamina, amplify their magic, and strengthen their immunity."

  Rabah surveyed the chamber, then looked at Senil.

  Senil met his gaze.

  "Well done," Rabah said. "Let's seal this place."

  Senil bowed. "Of course, Your Majesty."