The cold wind outside the destruction of Colossus was very thick with the smell of burnt iron, more metallic odour and charred earth, though high in the sky, the sun seemed dimmer, as if the earth itself was holding its own breath. Standing at the edge of all that has been ruined, Vardy stared at the whole situation for a while, his hands still glowing dimly from the intended Magic he had unleashed moments before. The power was still with him, but it was no longer a burden, it was now a part and parcel of his life, an extension of his will.
Farah on the other hand, was the first person to break the silence, That was… totally different master, you didn't just win, vardy. You changed the whole game", her voice held a note of praise and admiration, but there was something else lingering in her eyes, curiosity, perhaps. Or probably fear.
Fear of what Vardy was going to become.
Vardy didn't respond immediately, caution his thoughts were far gone, lost in the implications of what had just happened, sly had been defeated, by him he talked to himself, who would have believed that, yes but the cost had been very high.
Not just mentally, but physically, he had unleashed a very worrisome power that could consume him. If he wasn't careful, he had seen the way sly dark magic corrupted and twisted everything it touched negatively. And for this short time,Vardy had felt himself hanging in that same situation as sly.
But he had held back
And yet the taste of victory felt bitter. There was no triumph in his heart, he felt nothing but sadness and worried of how to cope with the situation, only a deep unease. He wasn't sure if he had won or if he had simply been lucky this time.
Luthor clapped him on his back, the force of his hands gripping, shook Vardy out of his long lost thoughts, you're a hell of a fighter vardy, I really don't know what you're thinking, but you just did what no one thought was ever possible. You've earned my respect. And Ferah's too, he sighed at Farah, who replied her eyes in response, though a flicker of pride was in her gaze
Vardy gave a small head nod, still feeling the weight of the decision he had made earlier. “I’m not so sure about that. I don’t feel like I’ve earned anything yet, not at all.”
Ferah’s ears twitched as she stepped closer. “What do you mean? You just destroyed Sly. You’ve proven yourself.”
Vardy’s eyes flickered with a storm of emotions, none of which he could express fully. “It’s not about proving myself anymore. I’ve got more than enough power to destroy anyone who stands in my way. But what happens after that? What happens when I can’t control it?” Tell mee, what will happen then? emotional feeling pressed on him.
Luthor frowned, sensing the inner trouble that Vardy was trying to hide. “You’re afraid. I get it. Power like yours can mess with your head. But you’ve already taken control of it. You’ve beaten Sly. It’s all in your hands now.” can't you see?
But Vardy wasn’t convinced. He could feel the pull of the darkness inside him, tugging at his thoughts, threatening to overtake him. It was a constant battle,one he wasn’t sure he could win in the long run. The warlock’s bloodline that coursed through him was a gift, but it was also a curse. And with every victory, it became harder to resist its call as the day went by.
Suddenly, Ferah’s voice broke through his thoughts, sharp and urgent. “Vardy, look!!”
He turned instinctively, his eyes narrowing as he saw a group of figures emerging from the horizon. They were cloaked in dark robes, their silhouettes unmistakable against the backdrop of the wasteland. A chill ran down his spine as he recognized the insignia on their sleeves,the Aegaon.
“They’re here,” Vardy muttered under his breath. His hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, but he knew that wasn’t enough. Not anymore.
Luthor cursed under his breath. “I thought we had more time. These bastards just don’t quit, do they?”
Ferah’s claws twitched, her body ready for action. “What do we do now, master?”
Vardy exhaled sharply, pushing the fear and uncertainty deep down. “We fight. We survive.”
As the Aegaon forces drew nearer, Vardy could feel the weight of the coming battle settle on his shoulders. He had faced powerful foes before, but the Aegaon were something else entirely. They weren’t just enemies,they were a reminder of his past, of the people who had torn his life apart.
“I need you two to be ready for anything,” Vardy said, his voice steady despite the storm raging within him. “I’m not sure what’s coming, but I know it won’t be easy.”
Luthor grinned, drawing his bow and nocking an arrow. “We’ve been through worse. You just focus on staying alive. We’ve got your back ok, Luthor assured vardy.”
Ferah unsheathed her claws, her eyes glowing with fierce determination. “We’ll tear them apart, Vardy. No one hurts our master.”
With a final glance at his companions, Vardy turned his gaze to the approaching Aegaon. The tension in the air was palpable, as if the very earth itself was bracing for the inevitable clash. And Vardy knew deep down that this was only the beginning.
The war was far from over. And with every step he took, the darkness inside him would grow stronger. There would be no turning back, not now, and never will it be, for his family, for his friends, he won't back down for any Reason.
But for now, Vardy was ready to fight.
The first Aegaon soldier stepped forward, his voice booming across the wasteland. “Vardy, the Dark Warlock. You are a threat to our order. Surrender now, and we will spare your life.”
Vardy’s lips curled into a twisted smile. “Surrender? I’ve never been good at that,so bad, they never taught me how to surrender, how do we go about it now huh?.”
With a snap of his fingers, the ground beneath their feet cracked open, sending shards of rock and debris into the air. The Aegaon soldiers scattered, but Vardy’s power had already been unleashed. The storm had begun.
And as the first bolts of lightning crackled across the sky, Vardy knew that no matter what happened next, he would never be the same,not the Vardy he used to know,not the Vardy with his friends, neither the Vardy that love's playing his game, but a new unidentified Vardy who is taking control of the real him, he knew nothing was going to ever be the same again, he was so ready.
Ready to take it up, the energy in him was making room for more, his body filled with so much aggression to wreck things, he knew the feeling again, he remembered sly one more time, abdr he, tried taking control, but the dark warlock won't allow it
The darkness had found him. And it would not let go.
Related Chapters
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 17: The Forces of Shadows
The air vibrated with the energy of the coming storm as Vardy stood in the center of the battlefield, his mind sharp and focused despite the trouble around him. He could feel the plump of his own magic, a force that rolls just beneath the surface, ready to be unleashed at the slightest command. But now was not the time for reckless power. Now, it was about control.The Aegaon soldiers, And their dark robes swirling like smoke in the wind, took their positions, their cold eyes fixed on Vardy alone.He could see their hands twitching, preparing spells of their own, arcane energies that could destroy the entire cities. But Vardy was no ordinary opponent. He had faced foes like this before, but none had the power of the Aegaon, nor the unyielding drive that they carried."Vardy, the Dark Warlock," one of the Aegaon leaders spoke, his voice a smooth, almost hypnotic tone. "You have the blood of the ancient warlocks flowing through you, through your vain. You are dangerous. But you are also
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 18: The Battle of Ashes
The battlefield was wasted with the remnants of destruction: scorched earth, spoiled and broken weapons, and the remnants of soldiers who had once been so sure of their victory. The air was thick with smoke, the stigma scent of burnt flesh and ozone hanging heavily around Vardy and his companions' breath. The aftermath of the battle weighed heavily on their shoulders, but there was no time to mourn for.Ferah was already searching the horizon, her eyes narrowed as she looks for any signs of movement. Luthor, too, seemed on edge, his gaze ever watchful, always searching for the next threat. But Vardy, though weary, stood tall, his mind racing as he processed what had just occurred.They had won the battle. The Aegaon forces had been crushed, their leader terminated by Vardy’s final surge of magic. Yet, deep within him, something still gnawed at his thoughts. The Aegaon leader’s words echoed in his mind: "The darkness has always had a price, and you will pay it”. The weight of that stat
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 19: The Depth Unraveling Threads
The Oracle’s words continued striking Vardy as he and his companions began their journey from the mountain. The cold, thin air had stung their limbs, but the weight of the Oracle’s prophecy hung heavily on their hearts. He had expected guidance, a path to follow, but what he had received was a riddle, a cryptic warning that left more questions than answers.Ferah, ever monitoring, noticed Vardy’s troubled expression as they walked. "You’re still thinking about what she said, aren’t you?" she asked, her voice low and steady.Vardy glanced at her, then nodded. "She’s right. It’s all tied together. The darkness... it’s not just some evil force. It’s alive. It grows. And it has a price. But what does that mean? What exactly is the cost?"Luthor, who had been walking ahead, turned to face them, his eyes seen in thought. "The Oracle speaks in riddles. The truth isn't always easy to see, especially when it’s buried in layers of metaphors, unknown words and heart-pounding questions.""True,"
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 20: The Daring Choice
The reality is now and here, a way forward is all I can only think of, I don't care about myself, but for those who have journeyed with me up till now, Vardy spoke to himself in silence, I can't put them down, I can't give up on them, he said to himself.Vardy’s heart raced, the weight of Aziel’s words pressing down on him like a thousand stones. The very idea that the darkness, something he had fought so desperately to escape, was a part of him was too much to comprehend. His mind reeled, struggling to understand how he could possibly be connected to the very force he had always seen as an enemy.Aziel’s gaze held steady, watching him closely, almost as if he were savoring Vardy’s internal conflict. "You’re torn, I can see it. You want to deny it, push it away, but you can’t. You’ll come to understand, eventually. We all do."Vardy shook his head, trying to clear the fog clouding his thoughts. "You’re lying. I’m not like you."Aziel’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. "You think you’r
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 21: Eyes of the Dark Storm
Now, dark and cold, tired and weary, the city loomed ahead like a dark stain on the earth surface, its towering spires reaching up to the sky like cracking teeth, sharp and unforgiving. Vardy could feel the oppressive weight of its presence pressing on him, the air thick with a sense of looming danger that seemed to emanate from the very streets.Ferah, Luthor, and Vardy walked in silence, their footsteps muffled by the dirt road beneath them. The wind had picked up, circling dust and debris around them, as if the very world was preparing for something monumental."We’re getting close," Luthor said, his voice low, almost as if speaking too loudly might provoke something hidden in the shadows. "This place… it feels wrong.""I can feel it too," Ferah agreed, her expression tense. "Something's off about this city. It’s like it’s been waiting for us."Vardy said nothing, his mind consumed by the storm of thoughts swirling in him. The darkness within him, the pull of Aziel’s words, the ch
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 22: The Heart of Darkness
The air was alive with crackling energy, and the very earth beneath Vardy's feet seemed to hold with a dark, unyielding power. Tendrils of shadow reached out from the cracks in the ground, twisting and writhing like serpents with a mind of their own. Each movement sent a shiver through the city, as though the streets themselves were groaning under the weight of an ancient, forgotten force.Aziel’s figure loomed above them, the faint glow of his eyes illuminating the darkness. He stood unaffected, unrestricted, not to be destroyed, his confidence over shadowing him, his hands raised in a commanding gesture. The dark energy swirled around him like an obedient pet, bending to his will. His smile, cruel and knowing, sent a shiver down Vardy’s spine."You still don’t understand, do you?" Vardy. Aziel’s voice was soft, almost coaxing. "This power, and this darkness,is your inheritance, Vardy. It has been waiting for you. All this time, waiting for your presence just to embrace, you’ve fough
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 23: The Confrontation of Vardy against the Dark
Vardy kept on pushing in, giving all he could to stop all of this, he knew. He was no match for what was ahead of him, but should he just. Give in, after all, No he can't do that, not if it was him alone in this,, but for the precious sake of, the one around him, I'll rather die by my hand than give in to this forsaken darkness lurking inside, I won't accept defeat not so soon,His heart was still pounding, it looked more like the dark could listen to everything he was saying, and with every step they took towards the citadel, the depth would always yawn to park them in, but was not a match for the three skills and what they had encountered so far..The air inside the citadel was thick with the weight of dark power, pressing down on them like an invisible hand. The walls seemed to pulse with energy, their surfaces slick with shadow, as though the very structure of the citadel was alive. The distant echoes of Aziel’s laughter vibrate through the halls, mocking and sticking, but Vardy
The Dark Warlock's Game Chapter 24: The Light against the Dark
The citadel, once a monument to Aziel’s reign of terror, stood silent in the wake of his fall. Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the stone, casting long beams across the ruin. The oppressive darkness that had once hung heavy over the city was gone, but the cost of victory weighed heavily on the survivors. Vardy, Ferah, Tracy, Jesse and Luthor stood at the heart of the shattered citadel, the echoes of the battle still roaming through the air.Vardy’s chest rose and fell in labored breaths, the toll of the final confrontation taking its toll on him. The light within him had faded, leaving a hollow emptiness in its wake. He had given everything to defeat Aziel, but in doing so, he felt the last of his strength slip away.Ferah knelt beside him, her gaze soft but unwavering. "You did it, Vardy. We did it. The city is safe because of you."Vardy’s eyes met hers, filled with both gratitude and sorrow. "It doesn’t feel like we are done yet," he admitted, his voice soothing the situatio
Latest Chapter
Chapter 28: The Tales of Old
Vardy's mind raced as the new revelations flooded his mind. He did his best to still be composed and solid but the new information was game changing. Dragon's wre known to have died but they were yet alive and Elves were known to have sailed to the edge of the earth and disappeared but yet here they were. The tales he had read in the books at the academy were now all of no value in his mind. Were there any other races that existed? Any others that were still around, the ones everyone thought had all died? He would find out. If it was the last thing he did, he would find them.His parents had told him stories of these people as a little boy and he fantasized about meeting them as a young boy but now he could meet them not only that but he would train with them. Sly.....if he was following orders....who's orders was he following and what did they hold over his head? What made Sly do these things? Question after questions popped into his head. New ones where the old ones faded away and w
Chapter 27: Mysteries Unfold
The five set out to find leverage against Sly and his goons but little did they know it was under their nose the whole time. The group still sat in the War Room late into the night with candle light around the room. Losing hope and as exhaustion overtook their bodies, they sat down around the table with sighs of defeat. Vardy glanced at his staff and felt for the light within. It was dim, more than it had been in recent days. "The light.....seems to be more dim than usual...." Tracy observed. Inside Vardy was in a panic with no idea what to do but outside, he held his face and body in the same loose, confident and poised manner. He nodded. "It is. I don't know how to fix it." His voice came out even as he spoke. Tracy sat there, thinking and mentally Flipping through books she had been reading for research purposes and remembered a particular spell book that had caught her fancy just earlier that day. Scrolls and ancient diaries sat open and scattered across the table making it hard
Chapter 26: Shadows Rising
The calm in Oak Academy was deceptive. Though the city was beginning to rebuild, the team couldn’t ignore the growing tension in the air. The darkness that lingered wasn’t just Sly’s presence,it was something deeper, an under flow of unease that warned them of what was to come, Vardy, Ferah, Luthor, Tracy, and Jesse gathered in the academy’s war room, still looking at the map searching over one maps and ancient texts in the rom. The flickering candlelight danced across their faces, their expressions stood with determination.Jesse leaned over the table, tracing his finger across a map of the region. "Sly’s words weren’t just bravado. He’s not working alone. The Dark Warlocks have been rebuilding their forces in the shadows. If we’re going to stop them, we need to find their stronghold."Luthor crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "We can’t just charge in blind. Sly’s been one step ahead of us every time. If we’re not careful, we’ll walk straight into a trap."Tracy nodded, her fing
Chapter 25: The Unbelievable Return
Days have passed since Aziel’s fall, and the city began its slow recovery. The people were freed from the darkness that had shadowed them, they all started to rebuild, unite, and see each other once again, and the air was lighter than it had been in years. But Vardy and his team knew better than to think the war was over. The presence of the Dark Warlocks lingered like a shadow on the horizon. Despite Aziel’s defeat, there were whispers of power far greater, a force that had been pulling the strings from the shadows for age's.One evening, as the team gathered in their makeshift headquarters at Oak Academy, the familiar figure of Sly appeared on the horizon. His silhouette was unmistakable,tall, confident, and exuding an aura of pure malevolence. His face was partially concealed by a hood, but his eyes gleamed with the same unyielding determination that had marked his every step since the beginning of this journey up till the moment."Sly," Vardy commanded, his voice filled with a m
Chapter 24: The Light against the Dark
The citadel, once a monument to Aziel’s reign of terror, stood silent in the wake of his fall. Sunlight filtered through the cracks in the stone, casting long beams across the ruin. The oppressive darkness that had once hung heavy over the city was gone, but the cost of victory weighed heavily on the survivors. Vardy, Ferah, Tracy, Jesse and Luthor stood at the heart of the shattered citadel, the echoes of the battle still roaming through the air.Vardy’s chest rose and fell in labored breaths, the toll of the final confrontation taking its toll on him. The light within him had faded, leaving a hollow emptiness in its wake. He had given everything to defeat Aziel, but in doing so, he felt the last of his strength slip away.Ferah knelt beside him, her gaze soft but unwavering. "You did it, Vardy. We did it. The city is safe because of you."Vardy’s eyes met hers, filled with both gratitude and sorrow. "It doesn’t feel like we are done yet," he admitted, his voice soothing the situatio
Chapter 23: The Confrontation of Vardy against the Dark
Vardy kept on pushing in, giving all he could to stop all of this, he knew. He was no match for what was ahead of him, but should he just. Give in, after all, No he can't do that, not if it was him alone in this,, but for the precious sake of, the one around him, I'll rather die by my hand than give in to this forsaken darkness lurking inside, I won't accept defeat not so soon,His heart was still pounding, it looked more like the dark could listen to everything he was saying, and with every step they took towards the citadel, the depth would always yawn to park them in, but was not a match for the three skills and what they had encountered so far..The air inside the citadel was thick with the weight of dark power, pressing down on them like an invisible hand. The walls seemed to pulse with energy, their surfaces slick with shadow, as though the very structure of the citadel was alive. The distant echoes of Aziel’s laughter vibrate through the halls, mocking and sticking, but Vardy
Chapter 22: The Heart of Darkness
The air was alive with crackling energy, and the very earth beneath Vardy's feet seemed to hold with a dark, unyielding power. Tendrils of shadow reached out from the cracks in the ground, twisting and writhing like serpents with a mind of their own. Each movement sent a shiver through the city, as though the streets themselves were groaning under the weight of an ancient, forgotten force.Aziel’s figure loomed above them, the faint glow of his eyes illuminating the darkness. He stood unaffected, unrestricted, not to be destroyed, his confidence over shadowing him, his hands raised in a commanding gesture. The dark energy swirled around him like an obedient pet, bending to his will. His smile, cruel and knowing, sent a shiver down Vardy’s spine."You still don’t understand, do you?" Vardy. Aziel’s voice was soft, almost coaxing. "This power, and this darkness,is your inheritance, Vardy. It has been waiting for you. All this time, waiting for your presence just to embrace, you’ve fough
Chapter 21: Eyes of the Dark Storm
Now, dark and cold, tired and weary, the city loomed ahead like a dark stain on the earth surface, its towering spires reaching up to the sky like cracking teeth, sharp and unforgiving. Vardy could feel the oppressive weight of its presence pressing on him, the air thick with a sense of looming danger that seemed to emanate from the very streets.Ferah, Luthor, and Vardy walked in silence, their footsteps muffled by the dirt road beneath them. The wind had picked up, circling dust and debris around them, as if the very world was preparing for something monumental."We’re getting close," Luthor said, his voice low, almost as if speaking too loudly might provoke something hidden in the shadows. "This place… it feels wrong.""I can feel it too," Ferah agreed, her expression tense. "Something's off about this city. It’s like it’s been waiting for us."Vardy said nothing, his mind consumed by the storm of thoughts swirling in him. The darkness within him, the pull of Aziel’s words, the ch
Chapter 20: The Daring Choice
The reality is now and here, a way forward is all I can only think of, I don't care about myself, but for those who have journeyed with me up till now, Vardy spoke to himself in silence, I can't put them down, I can't give up on them, he said to himself.Vardy’s heart raced, the weight of Aziel’s words pressing down on him like a thousand stones. The very idea that the darkness, something he had fought so desperately to escape, was a part of him was too much to comprehend. His mind reeled, struggling to understand how he could possibly be connected to the very force he had always seen as an enemy.Aziel’s gaze held steady, watching him closely, almost as if he were savoring Vardy’s internal conflict. "You’re torn, I can see it. You want to deny it, push it away, but you can’t. You’ll come to understand, eventually. We all do."Vardy shook his head, trying to clear the fog clouding his thoughts. "You’re lying. I’m not like you."Aziel’s lips twisted into a cruel smile. "You think you’r