Welzon shook his head slowly. "I only found more questions. The chaotic energy and the multitude of dead spirits here are driving me crazier by the day.""Other than during the fight, you seem quite sane for someone who’s supposed to be mad," Sam noted, studying Welzon's expression for any signs of deceit.Welzon sighed, a weary sound that seemed to carry the weight of centuries. "I use the local villagers," he admitted. "By helping them occasionally, I can keep my sanity."Sam couldn’t detect any lies or attempts at deception in Welzon’s words. He sensed a deep, almost painful truth in them. "Maybe your initial intention was just for your own benefit, to keep your sanity. But it’s clear that after being here for so long and helping the villagers frequently, you’ve grown close to them and genuinely care about them."Welzon's face twisted into a grimace. "I’m haunted by the spirits of their families who constantly ask for my help. I have no choice," he said."Of course, you’re forced,"
As they trudged through the muddy terrain, Welzon muttered again, “Let me down!”Sam only tightened his grip. “Nope. You’re stuck with me.”The sky was unusually clear for the Blighted Plain, and the sun shone brightly, casting an almost ethereal light on the desolate landscape. Sam carried the grumbling Welzon, their bickering echoing through the vast emptiness as they made their way back to Ashen Hearth Village.After a while, Welzon calmed down, and Sam walked without a word either. But suddenly Welzon's voice broke the relative silence. “Sam, do you want to know about the mastermind behind Friedo's death?”Sam adjusted his grip on the old man. “Tell me.”Welzon sighed, his breath shallow. “I can't say the name directly because of a binding curse that forbids us to expose each other. But I can say for sure that the person behind all this… he is connected to the church and also close to a powerful warlock.”Sam chuckled. "People from the church who are close to the warlock they hate?
The sun had just begun to rise, casting long shadows across the quiet town. Sam and Lyra were preparing to leave the small inn where they had spent the night, hoping for a moment's peace after their ordeal in the blighted plain. However, their hopes were shattered as they stepped outside to find a group of holy knights and priests waiting for them."Your appearance is similar to a wanted warlock," one of the knights said, stepping forward with a stern expression.Sam raised an eyebrow, keeping his voice calm and measured. "You've got the wrong person.""There’s no way we got it wrong," another priest interjected, his eyes narrowing. "The person behind you is Lyra Flammenherz, right?"Lyra stiffened beside Sam, her grip tightening on his arm.“Did he use a spell to charm her?” another priest suggested, looking at Sam with suspicion.Sam scoffed. “You suspect me of using magic to control my own wife? That's preposterous.”“We have also heard news of strange happenings in the blighted pl
The pair continued to walk, the early morning sun climbed higher, casting a warm glow over the tranquil wilderness. Birds chirped cheerily in the distance, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled their lives recently."By the way, Lyra, why didn't you just fly or help me fight them there?" Sam asked, his tone curious.Lyra shot him an exasperated look. "I'm trying to hide my power from them, but you instead screamed my name in front of their faces!" she scolded.Sam chuckled sheepishly. "Ah, sorry about that."Lyra sighed, shaking her head. "But I think now they have confirmed that you are that ‘wanted warlock’ and I’m Lyra Flammenherz. Next time, they won’t stop to ask us again.”"That’s true," Sam agreed, scratching his chin."So, I guess I don’t need to hold back either," Lyra said."I’m eager to get your help beating those church people," Sam said with a tone of amusement.“Unlike you, I get no delight in such things, Sam. I just want to help you.”“Really? Even though you
The man grinned widely, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, well, well. It seems I have found some interesting company indeed. What brings you to our humble caravan?"Sam and Lyra exchanged wary glances. Who was this strange man, and what did he want with them? The answers, it seemed, would have to wait. For now, they were thrust into another mystery.“Good day to you,” Sam replied cautiously. “And who might you be?”The man’s monocle glinted in the sunlight as he looked them over. “"I am Barnabas, the humble proprietor of this magnificent caravan. We are but simple traders, traveling from town to town, bringing joy and goods to all we encounter."Lyra stood as well, her curiosity overcoming her initial wariness. “What brings you to us, Sir Barnabas?”Barnabas stroked his mustache, a knowing smile on his lips. “Oh, I have a keen eye for intriguing individuals. And you two... seem like quite an interesting pair.”Sam and Lyra exchanged another quick glance, their interest growing
Sam and Lyra, despite their wariness, accepted Barnabas's offer. They spent more time with the caravan, observing and assisting the members. The initial suspicion began to wane as they saw firsthand the camaraderie and genuine concern Barnabas had for his people.One evening, Barnabas shared his story with Sam and Lyra around the campfire. "I know what it's like to be an orphan," he said, his eyes reflecting the flickering flames. "I was lucky enough to be taken in by kind souls who gave me a chance. Now, I try to do the same for others."Sam began to understood him better. Barnabas himself, a former orphan, had a personal stake in helping those in need. He revealed that half of his caravan consisted of orphans or impoverished individuals whom he had given a chance for a better future.Sam listened intently, still cautious but slowly finding a sense of trust in the merchant lord. "It's a noble cause, Barnabas. I’ll help this cause. But we have to stay vigilant. The church won't stop h
The tunnel opened into a dimly lit chamber below them. Sam, Lyra, and Kaelyn crouched behind a stone near the downward stairs. Their eyes wide open to witness the horror unveiling before them. In that chamber, a group of robed figures stood around a glowing altar.Their faces were obscured by hoods, and the air thick with dark energy. Symbols etched into the altar pulsed with an ominous light, casting eerie shadows on the walls. In the center of the altar lay a young girl, her body bound by glowing chains. Her mouth was gagged, muffling her screams, but the terror in her eyes was unmistakable.Sam's heart pounded in his chest as he took in the harrowing scene. "This is sick," he whispered, his voice trembling with anger.Lyra's eyes widened in horror. "What are they doing to her?"Kaelyn's gaze hardened, her voice a low, angry whisper. "Whatever that is, it must be a torture for her body and mind.”They huddled behind a large rock, trying to stay out of sight. Sam's face was grim, his
The air grew colder as the High Priest stepped forward, his robes flowing around him. His eyes glowed with malevolent energy, and an eerie smile spread across his face.Sam's grip tightened on his sword. "He's not alone."Behind the High Priest, more figures emerged from the darkness—armored paladins, their weapons gleaming in the dim light.Kaelyn's eyes narrowed as she melted into the shadows, attempting to sneak up on the High Priest. But as she moved, the Priest raised his hand, and a bright light illuminated the area around him, casting the shadows back. Kaelyn cursed under her breath, unable to approach."Nice try," the High Priest sneered. "But your tricks won't work here."The Paladins rushed forward, their swords clashing with Sam's.Lyra floated back, cradling the innocent girl they had just saved. "Be careful, Sam!" she called out, her voice filled with concern.Sam’s eyes focused on the paladins. "I'll protect you. Just stay back."The cave echoed with the sounds of battle
The battlefield lay in ruins, the scent of scorched earth heavy in the air. Samael hovered victorious, the infernal essence absorbed, the daemon hordes vanquished, and the rift dispersed. The cost of the battle was evident. The team emerged from their hiding place, their expressions a mix of awe and exhaustion."Is it over?" Ammy asked, her voice trembling with relief.“Yes, it's over, Ammy,” Kaelyn said.“Sam won,” Lyra said with a smile.After dealing with the rift, Samael turned their attention to the survivors. Using their enhanced void and dimensional powers, they created portals to transport the survivors to safety beyond the mountain range. The team's gratitude was palpable as they were whisked away from the hellish battlefield.Then, Samael redirected the flow of lava through dimensional gates, guiding it to safer locations and preventing further destruction."Look at that," said one barely conscious survivor, his eyes wide with admiration. "Just like … a god."As the last imme
The battle between Samael and Baelthrosk reached its climax, the air thick with the scent of sulfur and the echoes of their titanic clash. Samael, now the union of Sam, the System, and Rafael, moved with an unearthly grace and power. Their combined might was a force to be reckoned with, and they were ready to unleash the legendary spells that would tip the scales of this apocalyptic confrontation.With a roar, Samael called upon the first of the legendary spells to start this onslaught. “Primordial Symphony!” Their energy and power increased beyond comprehension. They flew up high and then raised their hands. They were so in sync that they were like in a trance, creating their own legendary spell on instinct.“Inferno of Creation!” A colossal pillar of flame erupted from the ground, its heat so intense it melted the surrounding rocks into rivers of lava. Even Baelthrosk's fire resistance was not enough; the infernal firestorm engulfed him, searing his flesh and making him bellow in ago
The air crackled with tension and energy as Samael hovered opposite of Baelthrosk, now transformed into a grotesque behemoth of infernal and demonic energy. The ground beneath their feet was a shattered wasteland, the remnants of the Promised Land. A chilling silence hung in the air, broken only by the distant cries of the wounded daemons horde and the rumble of thunder across the darkened sky.Aria, her power nearly spent, summoned the last remnants of her strength to conjure a gust of wind, lifting the countless unconscious survivors and carrying them away from the hellish battlefield. The others helped in any way they could. The team worked tirelessly to shepherd the survivors to safety, their eyes constantly flicking back to the impending clash between Samael and Baelthrosk. Each member of the team felt the weight of the moment."Let’s get them out of here, quickly!" Aria urged, her voice strained. "Sam can't be distracted!"The sky split open with a deafening crack of thunder as
All In“I don’t need those pitiful spells anyway!” Baelthrosk grumbled. Baelthrosk's body convulsing, healing, and closing the energy hole Samael had created in his vessel.Samael stood amidst the infernal battlefield, his aura pulsing with the reclaimed power of Friedo’s spells. He knew this was their only chance.“Harmonic Nexus!” Samael screamed. They began to absorb the infernal daemon essence around him, drawing it into his core. The daemons' bodies writhled, dissipated as their essence was being absorbed. The Hybirds lose their daemonic form, returning to their human form. They dropped unconsious from this process.The air vibrated with the sheer intensity of the energy being siphoned by Samael.“No!” Baelthrosk roared in fury, unwilling to let his power be stolen. "I won't let you!" he bellowed. With a forceful command, he ordered all the lesser infernal daemons to come and to fuse with him.The ground quaked as the daemons swarm were pulled towards Baelthrosk, their bodies mer
Baelthrosk's expression darkened as he saw his son defying him with a mere human. "You dare defy me, Rafael? You are nothing without me!" He raised his hand, summoning more daemon underlings to impede Rafael’s progress.The sky above was a tumultuous sea of crimson clouds, the air thick with the stench of sulfur and burning rock. Rivers of lava carved paths of destruction through the landscape, and the heat was almost unbearable.Yet, amidst this infernal chaos, Sam and Rafael stood their ground, their resolve unshaken.As the daemons charged, Rafael and Sam fought back with newfound fury. Each swing of their fists was infused with the desperation of survival and the burning desire for freedom. The Soul Reaver spell continued to siphon the essences of the infernals, their combined power growing with each defeated daemon.‘Keep pushing, Sam! We can do this!’ Rafael shouted, his voice a beacon of determination in the midst of the hellish battlefield.Sam responded with resolute defiance
Rafael RebellionRafael's struggle intensified, his roar of rage echoing through the volcanic landscape. "No! I will not be consumed by you!" he shouted, his voice filled with defiance.The ground beneath them continued to rumble, the volcanic activity reaching a fever pitch. The landscape continued to tremble under the weight of the infernal chaos Baelthrosk had unleashed.Amidst the fiery eruptions and rivers of molten lava, Rafael fought desperately against the pull of his father’s dark power. His essence was being drained, and he could feel his strength waning. But deep within him, a spark of rebellion ignited.In a last-ditch effort, Rafael focused all his willpower and took full control over Sam’s body, numbing and ignoring all the pain that coursed through it. ‘Sam, I need your strength,’ Rafael whispered within their shared mind. ‘Lend it to me… please.’‘Oh, now you are begging me?’ Sam retorted.‘Please. If not, you are also going to die from this extraction.’Sam sighed in
Infernal HomecomingBaelsthrosk's body seemed to grow, his form pulsing with infernal energy. He raised a hand, and the ground beneath them began to rumble. Cracks appeared in the stone, and a searing heat emanated from below."Behold my true power!" the Infernal Sovereign declared, his voice echoing through the land.The ground shook violently beneath their feet. The volcanic mountains surrounding the promised land began to erupt simultaneously, sending plumes of ash and molten rock into the sky."This is insane!" Lyra shouted over the deafening noise. "How are we supposed to fight in this?"The ground split open, revealing a chasm filled with molten lava. Flames erupted, and the air filled with the acrid smell of sulfur.Rafael, his eyes wide with excitement, yelled over the rumbling cacophony. "He's bringing our home to us!"Molten lava spewed from the peaks, cascading down the slopes in fiery torrents. The sky turned a deep crimson, and the air was filled with the acrid stench of
The attack only chipped the Archlord’s scales. He roared in anger, spinning around to face his elusive opponent. Sam focused on the amulet again, using a series of blinks to dodge the Archlord’s attacks, allowing him to maneuver around the battlefield with newfound agility. He could see the surprise and frustration growing in the Archlord's eyes."You dare use such tricks against me?" the Archlord bellowed, his voice echoing across the battlefield.Sam didn't answer. Instead, he created a series of voids that absorbed the Archlord’s thunderous attacks and let him move away freely.The other archmages, seeing Sam's sudden resurgence, found a glimmer of hope in their hearts. Aria, despite her exhaustion, cast spells to aid Sam, channeling her energy into various elemental bursts that disrupted enemy attacks.The battlefield was a chaotic maelstrom of dark energy and desperate valor. The Archlord, now fully aware of Sam's new abilities, snarled with rage. His eyes glowed with a sinister
The battlefield had descended into pure chaos. The newly transformed Daemonic Archlord, now brimming with infernal power, was an unstoppable force. His dark energy radiated from him like a suffocating shroud, casting an ominous pressure over the land.He charged toward Sam like a bolt. His fists were like hammers, pummeling Sam with a ferocity that left him gasping for breath and reeling from the impact.Sam tried to parry and dodge, but the Archlord’s reaction speed was beyond human. Every attack Sam attempted was effortlessly dodged by the Archlord's Vortex step, which allowed him to teleport short distances in an instant.With each of the Archlord's strikes, thunder sparked, and the air itself seemed to tremble in fear. Sam, despite his power and skills, found himself at the mercy of the Archlord’s relentless onslaught."You're only a weak human," the Archlord taunted, his voice a deep, rumbling growl. He delivered a crushing blow to Sam's ribs, sending him flying across the land.