A man dressed in torn long white clothes smiled as three bodies lay underneath him, blood covering his white garments. He raised his hand in the air, the crimson droplets glistening in the fading light.
As if summoned by his presence, a group of over two hundred followers appeared behind him, their faces shrouded in darkness. They knelt in unison, voices resonating with reverence and awe, "Lord Xypher."
The wind howled through the desolate landscape, carrying the metallic scent of blood. Xypher surveyed the fallen bodies at his feet, a wicked grin spreading across his face, revealing a glint of madness in his eyes.
In an instant, Xypher and his followers materialized at a distance, their presence casting a dark shadow over the city. A sinister smile crept across his lips as he focused on the location of the bodies he had left behind. "Let them witness true destruction," he murmured, channeling the dark energy within him.
With a swift motion, he invoked [Ruin of Stars]. Suddenly, a grey star blazed to life above the city, its ominous glow casting a pall over the streets below. It descended with terrifying speed, crashing into the heart of the city.
The impact unleashed a cataclysmic explosion, transforming the once-thriving metropolis into nothing but ruins and despair. Buildings crumbled, and the screams of the innocent echoed in the chaos.
As the dust settled, an all-white castle emerged from the debris, towering majestically amidst the devastation.
A serene body of water formed around it, devoid of any entrances, isolating the castle in an ethereal embrace.
Xypher surveyed his handiwork, satisfaction glinting in his eyes.
"[Entrance]," he commanded, and a grand door materialized before him. He grasped the handle and pushed it open, stepping inside the castle, his followers trailing behind him like a dark tide.
Upon entering the throne room, Xypher walked with purpose to the ornate throne that awaited him, a symbol of his dominion. He settled into the seat, his presence radiating power and authority. As he sat, his followers knelt before him in unison, their heads bowed in reverence.
As his followers knelt in submission, dark energy swirled around Xypher, coalescing into a magnificent form.
A majestic nine-tailed fox emerged, its fur a striking shade of grey, shimmering like shadows under moonlight.
The creature gracefully wrapped its tails around Xypher, anointing him with an aura of otherworldly power. Its piercing gaze remained fixed on the door, as if waiting for someone to walk through.
To Xypher's left stood a knight clad in imposing black armor adorned with ominous grey stripes, a silent guardian ready to enact his master's will.
"This world shall be turned to ruins!" Xypher's voice thundered throughout the chamber, reverberating off the walls with a chilling resonance.
A slow, dreadful laugh escaped his lips, rich with malice and the thrill of impending destruction.
With hands stained crimson from the blood of innocent lives, he raked his fingers through his white hair, a macabre crown of carnage framing his face.
The knight knelt before speaking, "My lord, what is the first order?"
Xypher looked at the knight. "Do nothing. Unlike last time, we'll wait before doing anything major. If we play our cards right... this world shall be covered in ruins within a few years. He should be appearing soon."
The knight nodded before standing back in a position with his sword pointed to the ground.
Stiles and SteelArm had been training for over seven hours, exhaustion weighing heavily on their bodies. "Let's grab some food, man," Stiles said, his voice thick with fatigue.
"I couldn't agree more," SteelArm replied, his tone matching Stiles' weariness. With a flick of his hand, he returned the room's gravity to normal, and the two of them made their way up the stairs from the basement to the main hall.
They entered the kitchen, where the enticing aroma of cooking filled the air. They quickly prepared plates of juicy steak, scrambled eggs, and sliced avocados, washing it down with refreshing water.
Finding a quiet spot in the center of the guild, they sat down next to each other, the bustling energy of their training still echoing in their minds.
As they dug into their meal, SteelArm flicked on the TV, his curiosity piqued.
The screen lit up with urgent headlines, the words "BREAKING NEWS!" flashing across the screen. "A city has been wiped out in mere seconds, replaced by a towering all-white castle that resembles a fantastical dream."
Stiles and SteelArm exchanged glances, their faces falling into grim expressions. "So... more work?" Stiles ventured, a hint of resignation in his voice.
"Probably not, since we're supposed to have a bit of time off," SteelArm replied, his fork hovering mid-air as he contemplated the news. "But with everything going on, who knows?"
With a shared sigh, they continued eating, the gravity of the situation weighing on their minds even as they tried to enjoy their hard-earned meal.
Meanwhile, in a distant city, Aria sensed Xypher's presence the moment it emerged. She let out a quiet sigh, her fingers idly stroking the soft fur of the small fox curled in her arms. Her cold gray eyes lifted, settling on a woman with long blonde hair standing nearby.
"Come here," Aria murmured, her voice gentle yet commanding.
The woman hesitated only briefly before stepping closer. As she did, Aria reached out, cupping her chin with a touch so delicate it was almost reverent.
"Will you serve me?" Aria's voice dropped to a whisper, her words carrying an unspoken weight.
"Y-yes… I will," the woman stammered, her breath hitching.
A slow smile played across Aria's lips. She raised a hand, a tiny crimson bead forming as she traced a shallow cut along her fingertip. Without hesitation, she pressed the bleeding finger against the woman's lips.
"Swallow it," she commanded.
The woman obeyed, opening her mouth slightly as Aria's finger slipped into her mouth, her tongue stayed flat against Aria's skin as she swallowed the drop of blood.
"Your name," Aria intoned.
"Maria," came the hushed reply, as she began to slowly swallow drops of blood that landed on her tongue.
Aria exhaled softly, closing her eyes as she began to chant. A spectral glow formed around Maria's neck, etching itself into her flesh—a sigil of crossed-out fangs beneath a looming temple. The air crackled with unseen power as Maria's body became enveloped in dark blue energy. Her clothes burned away in an instant, replaced by a flowing cerulean dress that shimmered like the night sky.
As the final echoes of the chant faded, Aria withdrew her hand, cleaning her finger with an absent motion. The wound sealed itself instantly, but her expression remained unreadable.
"I hate the way oaths are forged…" she mused inwardly, watching Maria adjust to the transformation. "As useful as oaths are, the process itself is… distasteful."
Maria raised a hand, attempting a simple summoning spell. The moment she channeled her mana, a surge of raw power flooded through her veins, far beyond anything she had ever wielded before.
Before she could react, the air distorted, and a figure emerged—a demon with glowing crimson eyes. It lowered its head, bowing before her in silent reverence.
Her breath hitched. "W-what happened to my mana?" she stammered, turning toward Aria with wide eyes.
Aria regarded her with a serene expression, her voice quiet yet unwavering. "When you swear an oath to someone like me, your mana capacity increases—along with your output. There are other… benefits, but I won't name them just yet. For the next few months, we'll be busy." She paused, her gray eyes darkening. "We're searching for a series of books. Each having unique properties—ones that I require."
Maria swallowed hard before dismissing the summoning. The demon dissolved into nothingness, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
Before she could steady herself, Aria stepped forward, seizing her by her waist and pulling her close. Their faces were inches apart, and Maria's breath caught as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks. Aria's gaze held her captive, her next words a whisper laced with promise.
"We have a great deal to prepare… to shape this world into something worthy of waking up to."
Without another word, frost bloomed beneath their feet, ice crystallizing in an instant. In the next heartbeat, the frozen shell shattered, and both of them vanished from the city without a trace.
Just as Stiles and SteelArm were finishing their meal, a call came from Halstein. The two exchanged knowing looks, already expecting this after seeing the castle broadcasted on the news.
With a shared sigh, they finished eating before making their way up the stairs to the left of the main hall. Upon entering Halstein's office, they found him seated behind his desk, his expression unreadable.
"Yes, sir?" SteelArm asked.
Halstein leaned forward, his fingers tapping lightly against the wooden surface. "A city has vanished—just like Stern. But this time, something was left behind." His voice was measured, but the weight behind his words was clear. "A castle now stands where the city once was, completely isolated by a surrounding moat. No bridges, no visible entry points."
He slid two sets of papers across the desk toward them. "These contain your updated training routines. I reviewed both of your files and adjusted them accordingly."
Stiles and SteelArm each took their respective documents, scanning the details as Halstein continued.
"In one month, you'll receive a mission. Until then, you are not to leave this guild. Follow the meal plan, stick to the training regimen, and ensure you get at least eight hours of sleep each night. Understood?"
Neither of them questioned the order. With a simple nod, they turned and left the office, the hum of quiet conversations and rustling papers filling the space behind them. The guild's managers remained hard at work, combing through files.