Invocation of Grim Lord (III)

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the ancient castle. Lord Izume, flanked by his loyal companions Goro and Zhao, stood at the very spot where he had halted his Karustalian steed earlier—a mile away from the imposing fortress. The air was thick with anticipation, and Goro's heart raced. Fear clawed at him, urging him to turn back, but some unseen force propelled him forward. The castle's aura weighed heavily upon him, threatening to crush his resolve. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and he wondered what secrets lay hidden within those ancient walls.

Zhao, however, remained impervious to the book's radiant energy. While Goro and the three Karustalians trembled, their eyes wide with fear, Zhao stood stoic. His senses unclouded, he perceived the true nature of the aura—an ancient magic woven into the very fabric of the castle.

Yet, Zhao knew that suspicion could be as deadly as any curse. He feigned weakness, allowing his limbs to tremble and his skin to pale. Lord Izume's gaze flickered over him, but the lord's concern was minimal. In a voice as cold as the moonlight, he issued his command.

"Zhao," Lord Izume said, "take Goro beyond this point. Return at the break of dawn. Use your magic if danger lurks."

"As you command, my lord," Zhao replied, his eyes betraying nothing. He assisted Goro onto his Karustalian, the beast's hooves stirring the dew-kissed grass. Together, they rode toward the distant countryside, leaving the castle's ominous silhouette behind.

Lord Izume stood once more at the forefront of the grand hall, clutching the essential components required to awaken the dormant demon. With a whispered incantation, he dispelled the protective enchantment that veiled the ritual's setup. Not that anything could breach the castle's formidable defenses, but he had cast the spell to safeguard the delicate materials from the searing radiance emanating from the ancient tome.

Lord Izume strode purposefully toward the center of the hall, where a radiant star symbol glowed upon the stone floor. He poured seven drops of blood from a duct he had, then closed his eyes and began the ancient incantations. Initially, all remained tranquil—a deceptive calm—but abruptly, the ground trembled violently. Still, undeterred, he persisted in his spellcasting without being distrubed.

Goro and Zaho were sitting near a lake. Goro was scolding Zaho, asking why he had insisted on summoning another adversity for them.Goro opposed what was unfolding but felt powerless to defy his father. Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, vibrations rippling through their bodies as if an earthquake were occurring. Panic flashed in Goro's eyes as he shouted, "What's happening?" Zaho, his face ashen, turned toward the castle and whispered, "Another disaster."

Meanwhile, inside the castle, everything shook violently. Then, with a sudden jolt, the tremors ceased. Lord Izume, feeling a sense of triumph, opened his eyes with a grin, only to be met with darkness. The flames in the beacons had gone out, so he used his magic to ignite each one. As he walked across the intricately carved floor, his footsteps echoed through the stillness.

He approached The book only to discover that the page where the demon had been confined was now blank, indicating that the demon was free. Just as a sense of satisfaction washed over him, he heard the sound of someone sprinting behind him. A wicked grin spread across his face as he turned to see what it was, only to find nothing in the dim light. However, he noticed that one of the beacons remained unlit. He attempted to conjure a flame, but felt his magic thwarted, as if it had been deflected away like a football. Stepping closer to the nearby pillar, he caught a glimpse of a child hiding behind it.

Lord Izume approached the child and knelt down, his cold eyes fixed on the boy's face. The child initially smiled and began to laugh, but soon, his laughter twisted into something dark and demonic. Lord Izume smirked and said, "I freed you, and now I require something from you."

As the boy continued to laugh, he eventually met Lord Izume's gaze, the amusement fading from his expression. "But why wouldn't I help you?" he replied, gesturing with a flicker of his red eyes, which glowed fiercely. His voice took on a monstrous quality, sending shivers down the spine.

Lord Izume let out a scornful laugh. "Help? You wish to help me?" he mocked, staring intently into the boy's eyes. "You won't merely help me; you will work for me. If you comply, I will reward you with everything you desire. I know exactly what you crave."

"But what if I don't?" the boy countered challengingly.

Lord Izume's grin faded, replaced by an icy glare as his demonic features began to surface. "Then, instead of the safety of the book, you'd find yourself facing the horrors of hell. And believe me, that would be far worse. Do you seek gain or pain? The choice is yours," he declared, his voice dripping with menace.

The boy smiled slightly. "I'll help you, as you've already helped me," he said, extending his hand to grasp Lord Izume's.

Zhao sat on the stone, still confused. Why didn't the aura affect me? he wondered, a troubled expression crossing his face. Goro, noticing his unease, approached him.

"What's on your mind?" Goro asked, concern knitting his brow.

Zhao looked up, startled. "Huh? Oh, it's nothing... I'm just feeling a bit afraid," he admitted, his gaze dropping to the ground.

As they spoke, Lord Izume appeared, arriving earlier than they had anticipated. Their eyes widened in shock as they noticed a red-eyed child holding Lord Izume's hand. Fear surged through them, and they stood up, electrified by a terror that rendered them momentarily speechless.

Lord Izume halted before them and regarded them coolly. "You can go home now. I'll return later."

"Yes, Your Majesty," they replied in unison, the words escaping their lips as if not entirely their own, driven by fear. 

With that, Izume and the child turned and began to walk back into the woods. As they did, the child glanced back at Zhao, who was already locked in an unblinking stare. Fear held Zhao's eyes captive; he felt as though he were turned to stone. Both of them seemed to be statues, immobilized by an overwhelming sense of dread.

Then, as suddenly as they had appeared, Lord Izume and the child vanished into the depths of the forest.