Chapter 37

Lazarus and Lalitha eagerly returned to the room, their hearts pounding with anticipation. It had been two agonizing days since Lalitha had reunited with her master, her unwavering loyalty to him reignited. Astaroth, in his wisdom, had recognized her exhaustion and granted her precious time to rejuvenate before delving into the depths of his mystical tale.

As Astaroth strode into the room, a chilling presence seemed to engulf the air. Behind him, the maid who had been dutifully attending to his needs emerged, her arms delicately cradling a silver tray laden with delectable snacks and exquisite drinks. The sight of their arrival stirred a current of anticipation and curiosity in the room. The maid then set down the tray on the table in front of them and went to stand beside Astaroth's throne.

With bated breath, the vampire king and sorceress awaited Astaroth's majestic descent onto his formidable throne. Only then would they dare to offer their respectful greetings. A sense of fear gripped their hearts, for in the presence of the demon king, even the bravest souls quivered.

Astaroth, his penetrating gaze fixated on the pair, acknowledged their presence with a slight nod. His voice, deep and resonant, filled the room like a foreboding melody. "Lalitha, my trusted servant, how fares your weariness? Have you found respite during these fleeting two days?" Astaroth inquired, his tone a curious blend of authority and concern.

A surge of gratitude welled within Lalitha as she faced the enigmatic ruler. "My Lord, your benevolence has graced my weary soul. By your mere presence, my fatigue has been vanquished, replaced by newfound strength."

"Excellent, now that you're refreshed, allow me to carry on with the tale," Astaroth declared a mischievous glint in his eyes. "As I mentioned before, with the sudden arrival of the goddesses, the delicate equilibrium between light and dark was violently disrupted, giving birth to a new religious order. They mercilessly snuffed out the mightiest forces from both realms, their power mingling and morphing into something entirely unprecedented."

"The birth of their new religion granted them unimaginable dominance over the ancient world. They reveled in their authority, their preferences dictating the fates of the living beings that dwelled within. The children of light thrived under their benevolent gaze, while those tainted by darkness were mercilessly cast out, hunted relentlessly for the potency that coursed through their veins. It was in those treacherous times that I was born, thrown into a world teetering on the brink of despair."

"The goddesses reigned for countless centuries, their grip tightening with each passing era. Yet, a day arrived when weariness seeped into their immortal souls, urging them to seek new playgrounds beyond the confines of the aging world. And so, the divine conspirators convened, devising a plan to shatter the old world into countless fragments. Each fragment, a newly formed world, brimming with possibilities, awaiting their manipulative games."

With a sly smile curling his lips, Astaroth leaned closer to the group, his voice dripping with anticipation. "Little did they know, their machinations would awaken forces far greater than they had ever envisioned. Forces yearning to reclaim the balance shattered by their whims. these fragmented worlds become battlegrounds for those brave enough to challenge the divine, and where unexpected heroes shall rise from the shadows to claim their destiny."

"I had battled them relentlessly across countless realms until I found myself in the treacherous realm of Eldoria. Victory had been within my grasp as I neared the defeat of one of my adversaries, my blade almost finding its mark. But alas, a sinister betrayal unfurled among my comrades, shattering our unity and sealing my fate. It was the hero, a being summoned and shaped by the divine goddesses from diverse realms, who struck me down with a final, fatal blow."

"Throughout countless cycles of death and rebirth, memories slip away like whispers in the wind, as the eternal battle between hero and demon king rages on across fragmented worlds. Yet, centuries ago, within the realm of the gatekeeper, I cunningly deposited a mere trace of my essence. It was a delicate essence, imperceptible to the gatekeeper's watchful eye. I planted it there, patiently waiting for it to taint the very fabric of that domain, while I steadfastly retained every memory from each cycle."

"I remember Eldoria and the worlds before that, and every time the story is the same. In a world where peace is abundant a demon king will be born and when the demon king is too powerful a hero will be born. The endless cycle of their boring games."

Lazarus asks, "But what values are there to continue such cycles, I also have a question, why did I retain my memory from Eldoria if the master's memories were lost in those rebirths."

Astaroth looks at the vampire king, "Well I guess that the gatekeeper is trying to disrupt the cycle. But as to why she does it we have to ask her ourselves the next time we meet her."

Lalitha asked her master, her voice trembling with curiosity, "But master, you mentioned that one can only meet the gatekeeper upon death...?" She hesitated, fearing to utter the words that hinted at his mortality.

Astaroth, with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, reassured her, "Ah, Lalitha, you misunderstand. I have no intention of departing this world anytime soon. Rest assured, I have grand plans that I shall reveal to both of you in time to come." His chuckle echoed through the room, creating an air of anticipation.

"But for now, Lazarus and Lalitha, we shall wait," whispered the demon king, his voice dripping with anticipation and malice. "I am resolute in my quest to unveil the true identity of this goddess among the eight. I shall unearth the secrets that lay buried within the annals of this world's history, Lazarus. You, who have walked in Arcania for thousands of years, there must have signs left behind by kingdoms about Arcania. I want you to delve deep into the tapestry of religions and the intricate history of nations."

Lazarus, his ancient eyes gleaming with knowledge, nodded solemnly, his mind already racing to connect the fragmented pieces of the puzzle. The weight of his accumulated wisdom pressed upon him as he embarked on the task set forth by the demon king.

"and Lalitha as for you, you shall accompany me, I will go around and conduct my investigations as well. You have roamed these lands before so you can be of help to me." Lalitha's eyes widened with a mix of apprehension and excitement. The prospect of venturing into the unknown alongside her master ignited a fire within her. She had traversed these lands before, but never in such company, and never with such a weighty purpose. This was her chance to prove herself, to showcase her knowledge and resourcefulness.

At the Adventurer Guild, a formidable team of seasoned warriors had assembled in the grand office of the guild master. Each member had been meticulously chosen, their skills honed through countless battles, to embark on a perilous and secretive mission. Their objective: to delve into the swirling rumors surrounding the enigmatic disappearance of the revered king and his loyal general.

Magnus Ironfist looks at the three men team that is standing in front of him, Aric by his side. The mission was too risky for Aric and also there is something else that the guild master wanted him to do.

Taking a moment to gather his thoughts, Magnus addressed the trio before him, his voice commanding yet tinged with an undercurrent of somber urgency. "Your mission is noncombat," he declared, his words resonating through the room. "I need the three of you to delve into the swirling rumors surrounding the disappearance of our king and his loyal general, find any information that you can no matter how insignificant you may think it is."

"It is not your role to piece together the information but to bring them back to me. Do you understand the mission?"

"Sure, Magnus, this mission is an easy one, merely involving information gathering," Lock, the half-elf, remarked skeptically. The trio stood before the Adventurer Guild, their unique heritage blending halflings with other species. Known for their exceptional tracking and scouting skills, they were the guild's finest. However, this assignment marked their first joint mission.

"I do hope that this is an easy mission, Lock," murmured the guild master, his voice laced with a tinge of apprehension. The moon's pale glow cast eerie shadows on the rugged terrain as they ventured deeper into the forbidden forest. The mysterious disappearances of the king and his general, coupled with the sudden emergence of the goblin king and the merciless slaughter of both goblins and the kingdom's army, had stirred a chilling sense of foreboding.

"Alright, we will do the investigation, since this is just scouting work and the risk is low we will take it. But the three of us here in your office will attract attention."

Magus scratch his head, "I don't have much of a choice given the urgency of this matter. Well, the king is missing at the moment so let us not worry about the kingdom finding out why the country's top three scouts are in my office."