Everything about Jericho ignited a seething fury within Erebus, particularly now, when he felt so vulnerable and weak. The very name evoked a deep, unrelenting anger. It was as if Jericho had orchestrated this relentless cat-and-mouse game, one where Erebus was forced into the role of the prey. The thought of being hunted, manipulated, and toyed with only fueled his resentment. Erebus loathed the feeling of helplessness, despising every moment of being pursued and cornered in this twisted game.
He had witnessed Jericho's games firsthand—how the man tormented those around him. Hell, he had been Jericho's primary victim for years, enduring his cruel manipulations. Jericho reveled in creating chaos, dismantling minds with psychological torment before physically tearing his victims apart. The pattern was disturbingly consistent, a grotesque dance of suffering and destruction.
It was almost laughable, in a bitter sense, how easily Erebus had nearly fallen into the same trap once more. The memories of those dark times resurfaced, mingling with his current frustration—a stark reminder of the torment he had suffered and the extent of Jericho's cruelty.
But amidst his anger, Erebus found solace in his own techniques. If anything, he had confidence in his ability to remain concealed. It was a skill he had refined over centuries, honed to near perfection. Jericho might have known that a shadow cultivator was in the area, but he couldn't discern their identity or exact movements. Perhaps Jericho had even let them go, banking on their overconfidence to lure them back into the ruins, where he could strike again.
Erebus clenched his fists, his resolve strengthening. If Jericho wanted to play this game, he would need to be prepared for a far more elusive and unpredictable opponent.
"My King, may I request some time to leave the city?" Erebus asked. "I need to visit the lands of the Udae."
"Who are the Udae?" Nash inquired.
"It depends on who you ask," Leonis explained. "To Halrland, they are fierce barbarians who waged war against the sects and ignited the Warring Era. However, we know them as descendants of the elven race—hybrids of Dark and High Elves."
Erebus looked up at Leonis in shock. "Are they really?"
"They've lost most of their elven features, but they remain highly skilled. Their technology and knowledge of mana surpass most realms."
Erebus recalled the battles he had fought against them. They did possess the beauty and sharpness of elves. Their weapons and armor were unrivaled and highly coveted. In fact, Gramr had come from one of their generals. Beyond that, he couldn't recall any technological advances in battle. But perhaps they lay hidden within their secret city.
"I need to go there," Erebus whispered. "There's something I need to find out."
"No one knows the exact location of their city. And even if you reach it, do you know what you're looking for?" Leonis asked.
Erebus shook his head. "No. But I still need to go."
Leonis contemplated this and sighed. "Jericho knows he attacked a shadow cultivator. Games or not, I think we need to recall all cultivators for now."
"But my King—" Erebus began to protest.
"That doesn't mean I will forbid you from going. I will allow it, but let us wait a day to assess Jericho's reaction," Leonis explained. "I believe we will have company tomorrow, and the last thing we need is our General suddenly missing."
Erebus frowned. Considering he was the most suspicious of the lot, it was the right move. Anyone would assume he was the one trespassing.
"Everyone, get some rest. Tomorrow, act as you normally would. Do drills, meditate, spar. Let no one suspect that anything is amiss," Leonis warned.
"Do you need a healer?" Halcyon asked, concern evident in his voice.
Erebus shook his head. "Nash had two healers tend to Leo and me. They won't speak of tonight."
Halcyon sighed in relief. "Then you should rest, as the King suggested. We'll devise a plan to travel later. I promise you."
Erebus sensed the sincerity in their words and nodded reluctantly. The group departed in silence, their unease palpable. The shadow of Jericho's enigmatic power hung over them.
Erebus and Leo walked down the hall by themselves. As they approached the doors to the war council room, Erebus paused. Without a word, he pushed open the doors and stepped inside. Leo followed closely behind.
In the center of the room stood a large, sturdy table cluttered with scrolls and maps spread out haphazardly. Nearby shelves were pushed against the walls, filled with thick record books detailing previous battles and intricate battle formations. On the eastern wall, a grand map of Undanfold was pinned, its details sprawling across the surface. To the west, a similar map of Esftfold offered a contrasting perspective. Dominating the room, however, was a large, prominently displayed map of Halrland hanging on the back wall.
Erebus approached it with apprehension. Now that he knew his current location, he wondered if he could determine where everything else was—where ancient secrets lay buried in the earth.
His fingers lightly traced the depiction of New Azor, now split in two by the fjord. As he studied the map, his mind overlapped the ancient landscape with the present-day image. Memories surfaced, blending with the painted details, allowing him to superimpose the old world onto the map. The juxtaposition of past and present sharpened his focus, revealing hidden connections and long-forgotten locations.
"I was maybe ten or eleven when I first stepped into Azraq," Erebus said quietly, his eyes never leaving the map. "It wasn't the thriving metropolis of legend at that time. It was small—smaller than New Azor—struggling under the pressure of wars on all sides. Many assumed it would be destroyed, with Fire Dragon pushed towards the sea." Erebus's eyes seemed lost in memory. "But we persevered and suddenly grew exponentially. By the time I left Fire Dragon, Azraq was at least three times larger than New Azor, stretching past the plateau and reaching the foothills of the mountains. At least ten main roads intersected the city, making it a true hub of the continent."
He ran his hand across the map, muttering the names of villages that didn't survive. Toward the central plains, he paused where Silvercloud was marked.
"The Silk Palace used to reside here, but we destroyed most of it," Erebus said. "Another sect took its place shortly after, and I suppose it evolved into Silvercloud."
His finger traced the unmarked paths on the map, bringing it closer to the central wildlands, stopping at a crater. "This is where Golden Gate was originally. Their leaders made a fatal mistake, and their army was decimated overnight."
"What mistake was that?" Leo asked.
Erebus chuckled softly. "They underestimated me. My mentor had just been promoted to Sect Leader, and I took over his Commander position. No one had heard of me or seen me in previous battles. They assumed I was a spoiled child playing with a fancy new toy. Little did they know, I was the one who had undergone the harshest of training."
"So, since your first battle, you've led armies to victory?" Leo smiled.
Erebus shook his head. "I achieved great victories, especially with Fire Dragon, but I've also seen many losses. Not every battle ends in victory when entrenched in war."
His eyes flitted across the map, and his hand traced another path down to the eastern sea, stopping at a small inlet with scattered islands.
"Rivepier was here."
Leo seemed to recognize the name. "The harbor town you grew up in?"
Erebus nodded. "But it seems nothing stands there anymore."
"Those are abandoned lands now," Leo explained. "Nothing has grown there for hundreds of years."
Erebus frowned. He suspected this was yet another of Jericho's acts. He would destroy the place where he was abandoned by his family, where he had lived in misery as a beggar, desperate to escape that life. While Erebus held a few fond memories of the place and the people there, Jericho had refused to try.
"It was a small port town but still large enough to be essential. But I suppose it was expendable like everything else in Jericho's life."
His gaze fell on the mountains in the north. His hand ran up the map and stopped at a small valley.
"There was a battle there with the Udae... we killed them all without mercy," he said quietly, guilt heavy in his voice. "And that's the same valley where my mentor found Kore."
Erebus tapped the location thoughtfully. "There was a large cavern in this area as well. We were going to explore it and hunt down any remnants, but we were called back to prepare for another battle against the Golden Gate sect."
"Do you think it's still there?"
"I don't know. Kore and Jericho probably tried to hide it, but I believe heading there will be our best option."
Leo nodded. "It should take several days to get there. We can investigate for a couple of weeks, maybe longer, to find whatever you're looking for."
Erebus intertwined his fingers with Leo's, his gaze distant and contemplative. "I'm not entirely sure what I'm searching for. The note hinted that the people sought refuge with the barbarians, likely the Udean clan. It seems like the remnants of those who fled clung to something there—perhaps a sliver of hope."
Leo's brow furrowed slightly, sensing the weight of Erebus's words. "Are you saying you believe there's something significant about what happened with these refugees?"
Erebus nodded slowly, the gravity of his mission evident in his expression. "Yes. I think there's more to their story. I need to understand what they were holding onto."
Leo's expression grew troubled as he considered Erebus's words. His eyes shifted uneasily, and his voice carried a note of hesitation. "I understand that learning more might give us insight into what we're facing, but... some of the answers you're seeking could reopen old wounds. Erebus, are you sure you want to know what Jericho did after you were locked away? It might be painful."
"Yes... No." Erebus sighed as his grip tightened around Leo's hand. "I don't know. There's so much hidden from history. The Warring Era has been completely altered—how did people forget so easily? How did Kore escape the Deities? What happened to Azraq, and why did everyone try to flee? How did Jericho name himself Emperor? Why are they sacrificing people? How did they unleash A'Teh in Undanfold? Everything we've encountered seems to expose more mysteries."
"Maybe we'll be able to answer some of those questions," Leo said softly. "Or we could leave with more questions. Are you prepared for that possibility?"
"There are already more questions," Erebus whispered, his hand brushing across the large forest on the map marked as the Maymer Woods. "What else do you know about this place?"
"Maymer Woods? The same as everyone else. It's one of the oldest woodlands in the realm and unfathomably large. After hearing that no one has been able to enter it for a long time, I can only conclude that it's cursed."
"I once told you about a forest filled with Corpse Lotus statues," Erebus said, recalling the beautiful red statues of the deceased. The Spirit Realm had a magical flower that would turn the corpse of a comrade into stone to honor them.
Leo stiffened as he recalled the conversation. It occurred when they encountered a group of women whose minds and bodies were destroyed by the Devils in Undandfold—living a life worse than death. As a mercy, he and Erebus had ended their suffering by taking their lives. With the help of the Spirit Realm, they had blessed them with the Corpse Lotus. At that time, Erebus had mentioned a forest hidden in Halrland that contained many of the same statues.
"Maymer Woods?" Leo asked, his voice shaking.
"That was the location of my last battle as the Demon Sovereign," Erebus whispered. "So many died around me until I met my end. Jericho placed me in the Soul Stone at the very spot where I fell, but the Spirit Realm came and turned my comrades into Corpse Lotus statues."
"Deities... this was the place... but why is it cursed?"
Erebus smiled sadly, his eyes never leaving the wooded area painted on the map. "I suppose it's another gift from Jericho."
He lifted a hand, and the Nether Flame danced on his palm. "I was blessed to be able to control two elements," Erebus explained, "Shadow and the Nether Flame... but I'm not the only one with this capability."
"What do you mean?" Leo's voice trembled.
"Jericho was a fire cultivator. I know this because I helped him unlock his mana and trained him. But the day he betrayed me for the first time, he opened the earth and let me fall into the depths," Erebus drew in a deep breath. "When I was locked in the Soul Stone, he displayed the same powers and created another crevasse, swallowing many of those Corpse Lotus statues... And the fjord splitting New Azor was never there before. I can only assume this was him as well."
"Earth cultivation," Leo murmured.
"I don't know when he received the gift, but I have a feeling it's something Kore gave him."
"The Titan Core. Which means she gave him the core when you were married. How long have they been fucking you over?"
Erebus laughed. "I'm assuming since day one."
Leo spat out a string of Elven curses. "Bastards."
Erebus kissed his temple to calm him. "I used to receive visitors when I was trapped in the Soul Stone, and suddenly they stopped. I thought I'd been forgotten. Imagine my surprise when Eri told me he knew who the Demon Sovereign was in the Nothingness... Because of this, I believe Jericho used his earth mana to drive people out of Maymer Woods to hide the truth about our final battle."
"How do you know?"
"I tripped on a large divot in the ground. At first, I didn't think much of it, but now, I believe it was a rune imprinted into the earth."
Leo grew pensive. "Imprinted... Most runes are drawn or etched onto a surface. Why does it seem like you're intentionally using the word 'imprinted'?"
Erebus smiled, appreciating Leo's keen insight. "It's an old magic that's not well known... but it's the most powerful form of rune."
He retrieved a blank scroll from a drawer and laid it out across the desk, smoothing out the creases with careful hands. The dim light from the lantern flickered over the room, casting shadows that danced along the walls. His eyes scanned the cluttered workspace until he found a quill and an inkwell, which he placed beside the scroll with deliberate care.
Taking a deep breath, he dipped the quill into the dark ink, his focus unwavering. With practiced precision, he drew a rune for light, the intricate lines flowing seamlessly under his touch. As he finished, the rune pulsed with a soft, ethereal glow, illuminating the scroll with a gentle radiance that seemed to push back the surrounding darkness.
"Most runes are like this," Erebus began, his voice steady as he gestured to the glowing rune on the scroll. "They're drawn and serve their purpose effectively."
He then picked up the quill again and drew a deliberate line through the rune. The moment the line intersected the symbol, the soft glow wavered, flickering like a candle caught in a breeze. Within seconds, the light sputtered out entirely, plunging the scroll back into darkness.
"The only downside," Erebus continued, his gaze fixed on the scroll, "is how easily it can be broken. A simple disruption and its effectiveness vanishes."
Next, he retrieved a piece of leather from a nearby shelf and laid it on the table. He took out his dagger and carved the same rune into the leather. The blade moved smoothly, etching the symbol deeply into the material. As he completed the rune, a brilliant light emanated from the grooves he had carved. This time, the glow was more intense and unwavering, casting a warm, steady illumination across the table.
"The rune's effectiveness is far more resilient when etched or carved into a medium," Erebus explained. "This method holds the enchantment better, making it less susceptible to disruption."
He let the light shine momentarily before cutting through the leather with his blade. The light flickered out once again.
"It must be cut through completely. Sometimes, it's more difficult depending on the rune's complexity and the material used. The Zorn Rune Lychgate used in the Hive was like this," Erebus explained.
Finally, Erebus placed his hand on the corner of the table and, with his Nether Flame, began to burn the rune into the wood. He moved much slower than before, each marking meticulous.
"This is a crude example of an imprinted rune," Erebus said as the light shimmered to life, forcing Leo to shield his eyes.
Erebus used his dagger to cut into the rune, but the light remained. Leo leaned in for a closer look and found that the rune had been burned deeply into the table. Although Erebus had cut into it, it only revealed more scorched wood beneath.
Erebus wrapped his shadows around his fist and slammed it against the rune. The corner of the table splintered and broke apart. The darkened wood fell to the ground in pieces, and the light finally faded.
"When imprinted, the rune's magic runs deep into the earth, taking root like an ancient tree. You can cut across the rune's surface, but it will have no effect because the magic is so deeply saturated. The only way to break this rune is by destroying the ground it was imprinted on."
"And you think this is what's in Maymer Woods?" Leo asked, his voice hushed with trepidation.
"Yes," Erebus replied. "This is why earth cultivators are so terrifying. Not only do they have impenetrable defenses, but they also have the potential to create terrifying runes."
"Can we break it?"
"Perhaps... but we have an advantage that many have not anticipated. Although this rune is powerful, once we reach a certain level of cultivation, we may be able to move through the shadows of runes."
Leo trembled. "That's possible?"
Erebus nodded. "Yes, but it will take time to reach that realm and require a certain level of affinity with the shadows. Even then, we still have other risks to consider. We don't know the purpose of the Maymer Woods' rune. Additionally, time flows differently there. We also don't know what other complications we will encounter."
The fear that had gripped Leo when Erebus vanished into the woods surged back, raw and overpowering. He trembled, reliving the moment he'd screamed after him, only to be restrained by his soldiers. The memory of that helplessness, the sheer panic and dread of losing Erebus, threatened to consume him all over again.
"Must we go back?" he asked weakly.
"I'm not sure," Erebus whispered. "Jericho may be hiding something there."
"Promise me something," Leo urged. "If you have to go back inside those cursed woods, you'll take me with you."
"I don't know if that's—"
"Promise me," Leo interrupted, his eyes wide with fear. "I will not watch you disappear again. I will not wait on the sidelines, wondering if you're alive. You cannot do that to me again!"
Erebus felt his heart ache with emotion as the weight of Leo's words sank in. He realized how thoughtless his past actions had been. Though he had grown more conscious about preserving his life, he still neglected his own safety, leaving Leo to bear the burden of his recklessness. The heartbreaking fear and pain etched in Leo's voice pierced him deeply. He knew he was the cause of this suffering.
Erebus drew Leo close, wrapping his arms around him with a fierce tenderness. He buried his hand in Leo's hair, holding him as if he could shield him from the world.
"I'm so sorry, Leo," Erebus whispered, his voice thick with regret. "I promise. I will never leave you behind again."