Five hundred meters from the imperial palace's artificial forest, five men in black cloaks gathered and performed a strange dance.
Beneath their feet lay a red, star-shaped magic circle ten meters wide.
Each of the five men stood at one point of the magic circle, continuing to chant unclear songs and spells.
"Hearken to the call of ash and bone."
"By the covenant buried in ancient days."
"I unseal earth and shadow."
"Arise, thou bound by infernal flame."
"Come forth and heed my will."
"O spirit born of night unending."
"Sworn to the abyss without dawn."
"By my blood as the key."
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a bright red light flashed from the center of the circle.
Another man in a black cloak stood in the distance, watching the ritual with a grim expression.
'It's still not enough! We need another evil artifact,' he muttered coldly.
Snapping his fingers, a black crystal ball appeared in his right hand.
