The terrible Bolt of Judgement

Reach sentries spotted a three-headed flying beast approaching the fortress from the northern side of the Continent, unsure if it was one of theirs.

Sentry A: I don't remember seeing one of those before... Is it one of Dr. HP's creations or a mutate?

Sentry B: I have no idea... It certainly isn't a mindless monster... They don't have the guts to wander about so close to the fortress.

As the creature continued to get closer, they realized an odd detail...

Sentry A: Hold on... Am I seeing things, or is there a woman riding the beast?

Sentry B: She's pretty hot, isn't she?

Sentry A: Sound the alarm, you idiot!

Sentry B: Wait a minute... Where'd they go?

As they were confused about how both the creature and the woman inexplicably vanished from their sight, they both heard a charming and seductive voice from behind.

Demona: My darlings... Take me to your King.

Sentries: Yes, My Lady.

In the throne room, Emperor Aurelius and his Inner Circle were awaiting news to continue the next phase of their attack. Abruptly, the sentries opened the doors, and Demona walked in. It was quite an entrance. 

Aurelius: What is the meaning of this?

Demona: Greetings. Your Majesty...

Dante: Who are you? Speak now or die! – As Dante spoke these words, he extended his right hand in Demona's direction. Demona started walking towards them, apparently without a care in the world.

Dante attempted a Dark magic spell called Demise (*a spell that kills its target instantly. It tends to be ineffective if the target's magic is stronger than that of the caster*)

Demona: That tickles – she said with a smirk on her face. Dante's spell did not affect her.

"SILENCE!"

The Dark wizard Dante was now unable to speak, thus preventing him from using magic.

Dr. HP: Emperor! – The doctor was trembling in fear, thinking this was an assassination attempt.

Aurelius: Settle down, doctor. She is not here to kill us. That much is obvious. Nonetheless, it does leave the question... Why is this captivating woman in my throne room?

Demona: Oh, you're too kind, King Aurelius – EMPEROR! – Aurelius interrupted her abruptly.

Demona: Oh?

Aurelius: It is Emperor Aurelius.

Demona: I see... Forgive me... Emperor Aurelius. Everything you said is true: Me being captivating... And not being here to kill you. I come to offer our assistance in your glorious quest.

Aurelius: Offer assistance, you say? Interesting. And who is this we that you speak of?

Demona: We are called The Cabal. We learned of the incredible power of your Empire and understand that it is our righteous duty to be a part of your rise to power in the West.

Aurelius: Very perceptive of you. Restore my Dark wizard to normal. I assure you he will not attempt to harm you again – Dante looked annoyed as the Emperor said these words.

Demona: Fair enough – she then proceeded to cancel the effect of Silence.

Dante: <Gasp! > How did you even get past all the guards?!

Demona: I usually don't need to work hard to get what I want from men or monsters... - she said in an alluringly mesmerizing tone. For some reason, it seemed to irritate Dante even more. And yet Aurelius was intrigued by Demona's whole persona.

Demona: I will introduce you to my allies – Demona snapped her fingers, and Merlin and Zeldrys' figures appeared translucent next to hers.

Merlin: I am the Dark wizard Merlin.

Zeldrys: Spellblade Zeldrys, at your service.

Demona: And I am Demona, the Summoner. With us as your allies, your quest to conquer the West has no chance of failure.

Aurelius: You seem to have an impressive skill set. I see how having them at my disposal would be an outstanding addition to my forces. But what is it you gain out of this alliance?

Zeldrys: Allow me, Your Majesty. We have worked from the shadows to this day, seeking the right moment to intervene in the Arkana in a way that would make history and produce real change.

Dante: To what end have you remained in the shadows?

Demona: There are many out there that fear those who have power. If we remained hidden, we would be free of being a target of those who act out of fear. As they say… Ignorance is bliss.

Merlin: And we would also be free to pursue our goals without distractions.

Aurelius: Pursue your goals... – Merlin looked a little worried for a moment as Aurelius repeated his exact words.

Aurelius: Very well. Leave us. We must discuss your proposal privately. Once we agree, you will be notified to return to this room.

Demona: We are ever so grateful, Emperor Aurelius... – Demona bowed briefly and then walked out of the throne room. Zeldrys and Merlin's translucent figures disappeared after that.

Aurelius, Dante, and Dr. HP discussed the matter briefly.

Dr. HP: They are obviously up to something.

Dante: No doubt about it. I don't trust them, Emperor. Especially that hag... 

Aurelius: Does she frighten you, Dante?

Dante hesitated to answer. The Emperor laughed.

Aurelius: I like her. Of course, I don't trust her or any of them. However, it matters not. We can still use them to our advantage... For now.

Dante: And once the Western Continent is yours...

Dr. HP: ... We kill them!

Aurelius: Indeed! – said the Emperor with an evil grin.

They sent word to let Demona back into the throne room. Aurelius got up from the throne, walked up to her, and shook her right hand, thus stating the birth of their alliance.

Demona motioned with her hands, and Zeldrys and Merlin's translucent figures reappeared next to her.

Aurelius: Dante. It is time.

Dante used a crystal ball that was in the room, which was enchanted by a Dimensional mage. With it, they could see that the airship armada commanded by General Vortigen had arrived on the Western Continent. They could also communicate with him and Andreza through the link it created.

Aurelius: I want your colleagues to meet with my General at Dalmacia. That is our main target. Once our biggest threat falls, the rest will be taken with ease.

Demona: You heard the Emperor's command, didn't you? – said Demona speaking to Zeldrys and Merlin.

"We did. Consider Dalmacia an old memory".

Aurelius: And now for stage two.

The Emperor stretched his right arm to reach for something. His hand went through a portal of sorts and came out with a magnificent-looking black weapon... He then instructed the Doctor to send in someone.

Two hunch-back soldiers wearing Dalmacian crests entered the throne room. They looked pretty disfigured... As if they had been experimented on and tortured within an inch of their lives.

Aurelius: This weapon has been in my family for generations. I have never used it because it exacts a toll on those who wield it.

He then gave it to one of the hunch-backs.

Aurelius: Think of a city far from the Dalmacian capital in the West... Visualize it. Once you have its picture clearly in your mind, wave the halberd with strength!

The soldier was hesitating and seemingly unwilling to comply. Aurelius tried intimidating him.

Aurelius: Do as I say! If you do not comply, I will be forced to make an example of your friend here. It has been quite a while since I tortured someone myself... Is that what you want? For me to make his life even more of a hell than what you have already been through? Of course, I will make you watch the whole process...

The soldier looked like he was about to do what he was asked. Everyone stood away from the both of them.

Back in the West, in the city of Lybia, Sven tended to his duties at the Ancient Library, as were the other scholars and students. An older adult came up to him to ask about Comic books. Sven was confused and replied:

Sven: Do you mean books on comedy? If that is the case, there is perhaps something I could recommend...

As Sven turned around to look for his recommendation, a loud crashing noise came from all directions. It seemed as though the library was being torn apart. As he turned around, he saw the older adult start to fall through a crack that had opened up underneath him. Sven reacted as fast as he could, doing what he could to protect this man. He shouted, "Sphere!" (**a protective ball that can be used to break dangerous falls or protection from unsafe terrain**) Beams and shelves were falling all over, even over the older adult. But the Sphere protected him from harm. The rumbling hadn't yet stopped when there was a massive flash of light that engulfed the entire city.

As Rachel and the others descended Mount Doom, they saw a strange sighting over Lybia in the distance, and a massive bolt of lightning fell shortly after, with no clouds over the city.

Rachel: Did everyone see that?

Nimrod: I'm sorry... I was again distracted by your beauty... See what again?

Richard: Have you no shame? You scoundrel!

Nimrod: Have you ever heard the word compliment, sire? – Nimrod replied mockingly.

As they were wondering about what had happened, Meg arrived. He was short of breath.

Rachel: I wasn't expecting to see you this soon, Meg... What a pleasant surprise!

Meg: New development! There's no more time! This Continent is officially at war!

Richard: So the rumors turned out to be more than just that...

Meg: You must head to Dalmacia immediately! There's no time to waste!

Nimrod: I don't know if you realized, but we're pretty far away. It'll take like a week to get there on foot.

Meg: Actually... Not necessarily...

As Meg said that, he looked at Rachel.

Rachel: I understand...

Nimrod: Huh? I don't... What did I miss?

Rachel held the Staff of Zoe with both hands and told everyone to stand close to her. A white light shone brightly from the staff, covered them all, and vanished with them. In a blink of an eye, they were in Lybia. Or at least what was left of it.

Richard: This is not the capital... We are in Lybia!

Meg: Rachel... Why did you bring us here? There isn't anything we can do for them...

They all saw the city in ruins. Rachel ran to the Ancient Library. There were people underneath the rubble. Some had died. Others were looking for their loved ones. Most were injured in one way or another. Richard and the others helped a few people on their way to the Library behind Rachel. When she arrived, she saw that half of the Library was standing while the other half was gone.

Older adult: That scholar man saved me... I think he fell through the cracks... There was nothing I could do...

Rachel: {Could he mean...? Sven!}

The others arrived at the library and saw some Dalmacian soldiers there.

Richard: Men! Salute! Tell me... what happened here?

Soldier A: Sir Richard! We d-don't know! We were on watch, sent here by your brother, the General. And suddenly, the city started to crumble as if some weapon had struck it...

Soldier B: It was a massive bolt of lightning! It came out of nowhere! I think it was the work of powerful sorcery...

Kohrr: The Demon-Halberd. Whoever has it has activated it once again.

First, everyone was shocked because they heard Kohrr speaking  so clearly. Secondly, because of what he said…

Meg: We don't have time for this! Dalmacia is about – as Meg was trying to urge the others to head back to Dalmacia, the same strange occurrence was seen in another faraway city. This time it was Miranda.

At Dalmacia, the General of the Army consulted with the king before taking action.

Sir Cedric: Father. I believe sending part of our forces to Miranda and Lybia is wise. It seems as though some strange magic hit them. This could only mean the enemy plans to move up from the south. We must make haste!

King Uther: Or perhaps it could be a distraction... We must assume the worst with this enemy. However… I trust your decision, son. Your instincts are usually right... Do it. But you stay in the city to coordinate with the knights and dragoons.

Sir Cedric: Yes, father. It shall be done.

Dalmacia sent less than half its army to battle against unseen forces at Miranda and Lybia. While this was happening, General Vortigen received word from the Emperor to launch the first wave of their attack... against the Dalmacian capital. Sir Cedric's plan would prove to have been a big mistake.