Rise of the Horde
Chapter 420: Chapter 420

"What's wrong?" Queen Elara questioned, her voice calm but commanding. Syvis, her most trusted sister, had suddenly shouted in alarm and loosed a magic-imbued arrow towards the corner of the tower.

"I detected a rat," Syvis replied, her eyes narrowed in concentration. "Our rival is on the move once more. The Eyes in the Shadows." She spoke with a mixture of respect and wariness, clearly familiar with the enigmatic organization.

Queen Elara's brow furrowed, her gaze fixed on the distant figure. "I thought they had vacated the capital after their encounter with Ishaq's adjutants. Their persistence is troubling." She paused, her eyes narrowing. "Are they here for the crystals? Or do they seek to exploit our vulnerability during this crisis?"

Syvis shook her head, her silver hair shimmering in the moonlight. "It is hard to say, Your Majesty. The Eyes in the Shadows are known for their secrecy and cunning. But their presence here cannot be a coincidence. They must be up to something once again." As they exchanged concerned glances, the weight of their unseen adversary's presence hung heavy in the air. The Eyes in the Shadows were a force to be reckoned with, and their intentions were always shrouded in mystery.

Queen Elara's mind raced as she considered the potential threats they posed to the kingdom and the delicate balance of power within the city. Little did they know, their whispered conversation was not as private as they believed it to be. From the shadows not far away from the tower, a pair of glowing eyes watched, their owner hidden in the darkness. The figure, cloaked in black, had evaded detection, moving with the stealth that came from a lifetime of training. This unseen observer, the leader of the Eyes in the Shadows, acted personally to gather intelligence on the kingdom's defenses.

As the tension in the kingdom of Ereia escalated, so too did the intrigue and hidden agendas that threatened to unravel the fragile alliance formed to protect it. With the Eyes in the Shadows now once again partaking in this intricate dance, the stage was set for a confrontation that would remold the very foundations of the kingdom.

The demoness, free from the former bonds that restricted her, stood in the hushed stillness of King Gyassi's chambers. The king lay unconscious on his bed, a consequence of her subtle manipulation and him overestimating his own capabilities in handling a relic of immense power. The Queen, oblivious to the danger lurking in the palace, was preoccupied with ensuring the safety of her sisters, preparing for the impending war.

The demoness' eyes, reflecting the flickering candlelight, met those of a passing servant. "Gather one hundred people," she commanded, her voice a low, melodious whisper that carried an uncanny weight, "at the lowest chamber of the palace." The servant, mistaking her to be under the arrangement of the king, nodded obediently, unaware of the sinister purpose behind the order.

Word spread quickly through the palace corridors. The servants, fueled by a misplaced sense of duty, scurried to fulfill the demoness' cryptic request. "A hundred people?" one servant whispered to another, "For what, I wonder?"

"Who knows for what purpose, we just have to obey lest we get punished," replied the other, oblivious to the chilling truth.

As the designated hour approached, a throng of servants, guards, and even some royal attendants, their faces alight with a curious blend of excitement and apprehension, found themselves gathering at the entrance of the lowest chamber. The heavy, iron-wrought door, adorned with intricate carvings, creaked open, revealing a staircase leading down into the dark, damp depths.

"Do not be afraid," the demoness called out from within the darkness, her voice laced with a seductive charm. "This is not a punishment. This is just a small task."

As the first servant stepped onto the stairs, the demoness's smile was wide and chilling. The descent into the darkness was slow, punctuated by the echoing thud of footsteps and the whispers of terrified breaths.

"Where are we going?" one servant whispered, clutching his dagger tightly, the cold steel offering a meagre solace.

"I have no idea. I have never been in this part of the palace before." another servant whispered back, his voice trembling slightly.

The air grew heavy, thick with the metallic scent of something foul and unknown.

At the bottom of the stairs, the chamber awaited, shrouded in a thick darkness that even the flickering torches couldn't dispel. The air was thick with a palpable tension, a silent scream trapped within the stone walls. A lone figure, cloaked in shadows, stood in the center of the room, her silhouette illuminated by a single, flickering candle held aloft.

"You are here," the demoness spoke, her voice resonating with an otherworldly power, "to fulfill your purpose."

As she finished her sentence, the candle flickered and died, plunging the chamber into absolute darkness, leaving the assembled group trembling in a terrifying silence.

As the room plunged into darkness, the demoness wasted no time. With a murmur, she wove an intricate illusion spell, enveloping the gathered servants, guards, and attendants in a deceptive vision. She presented herself as their guide, leading them towards a promised paradise. Their fears melted away as they followed her, unaware of the true danger that lurked.

The group was led to the far corner of the chamber, where a crude altar stood. The demoness' smile widened at the sight, her eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight that danced across the room.

"You are the chosen ones," she said, her voice echoing in the enclosed space. "Your loyalty and obedience will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams." The servants, still under the influence of the illusion, nodded eagerly, their faces a mix of curiosity and anticipation. They had no idea that they were about to become pawns in the demoness' sinister plan, one that would add another cause of chaos to the kingdom.

Still under the demoness's spell, the gathered servants, guards, and attendants were led, one by one, before the altar. There, a gruesome scene was happening. A deep pit had been dug, and as the first victim was brought forward, the demoness plunged her claws into their chest, causing them to spill blood into the pit before their body followed. The air was thick with the scent of iron and the sound of terrified breaths. Still, the illusion held, and the victims, their senses manipulated, obeyed, unaware of their impending doom.

As the demoness worked, her smile never wavered, and her eyes held a chilling gleam in the room engulfed by darkness. The room echoed with the sound of dripping blood and the thud of bodies falling into the pit. One by one, she slaughtered them, their life forces resonating with the dark magic that infused the chamber.

The air grew heavier, and the metallic scent became almost overpowering, yet still, the demoness continued, her movements precise and calculated. The demoness's plan was sinister and cunning, and with each life taken, the power at her disposal grew. The servants, guards, and attendants, chosen for their loyalty and obedience, had become oblivious participants in a ritual that would alter the course of the war. As the last victim fell, the demoness's laughter echoed through the chamber, a sound that would haunt the very walls of the palace. The aftermath of this evening will be tumultuous, as the demoness' scheme will not only trouble the Ereians, but also the oncoming orcish horde.

The demoness' laughter echoed through the chamber, a chilling sound that sent shivers down the spines of those unfortunate enough to hear it. In the aftermath of her grisly ritual, she stood before the altar, her form bathed in the blood of her victims. The air was thick with the coppery scent of blood, and the sound of dripping fluid filled the room.

The pit, now filled with the bodies of her victims. As the demoness chanted, her eyes fell upon the small fissure that was forming by the altar. The tiny rift began to expand slowly.

Then, from the small rift that had formed by the altar, a new horror emerged. Crawling out of the darkness, creatures of hideous flesh, no larger than newborn human babies, scurried forth. Their demonic features, a twisted mockery of innocence, gleamed in the afterglow of the rift. They were the lowest of the low in the demonic hierarchy, expendable pawns in the grand scheme of things.

The demoness's eyes, cold and devoid of empathy, watched with satisfaction as the creatures scurried forth. Her lips curved into a cruel smile as she anticipated the havoc they would wreak upon the kingdom.

The demoness watched with cold satisfaction as the first wave of her demonic minions scurried forth. They were but the beginning of her plan, mere tools to pave the way for what was to come.

Following the initial wave, a new horror emerged from the rift. These new creatures were a twisted amalgamation of human and insect, their size rivaling that of a newborn horse. They moved with an unnatural gait, crawling on all fours, their bony blades clicking against the stone floor with each step. Their mouths, filled with rows of sharp teeth, hung open, revealing their eagerness to taste flesh and draw blood.

They were a terrifying force, an abomination of nature, and their very presence struck fear into the hearts of those who beheld them. The demoness's eyes glinted with malicious glee as she surveyed her creations.

With each passing moment, her power grew, and the kingdom of Ereia edged closer to chaos and destruction.