The appearance of the Banshee and the confirmation of the Red Wizards' threat left Aria in a state of shock. But there was no time for fear or doubt. She had to act, and she had to act quickly.
She left the Basilisk's chamber and called an urgent meeting of the Umbrian Council. She told them everything she had heard: the warnings from the Basilisk and the Banshee, Eleonora's true nature, and the imminent threat of the Red Wizards.
The news was met with disbelief, then horror, and finally, grim determination. Umbrian would prepare for war.
Messages were sent to all allied magic schools, requesting assistance. The school's defenses were strengthened, ancient protective spells were activated, and intensive training began for all students, regardless of age or skill level.
But Aria knew it wouldn't be enough. The Red Wizards were powerful, and Eleonora, with her newfound Chaos power, would be a formidable foe. They needed something more, an advantage, a miracle.
And then, the miracle happened.
The appearance of the Banshee and the confirmation of the Red Wizards' threat left Aria in a state of shock. But there was no time for fear or doubt. She had to act, and she had to act quickly.
She left the Basilisk's chamber and called an urgent meeting of the Umbrian Council. She told them everything she had heard: the warnings from the Basilisk and the Banshee, Eleonora's true nature, and the imminent threat of the Red Wizards.
The news was met with disbelief, then horror, and finally, grim determination. Umbrian would prepare for war.
Messages were sent to all allied magic schools, requesting assistance. The school's defenses were strengthened, ancient protective spells were activated, and intensive training began for all students, regardless of age or skill level.
But Aria knew it wouldn't be enough. The Red Wizards were powerful, and Eleonora, with her newfound Chaos power, would be a formidable foe. They needed something more, an advantage, a miracle.
And then, the miracle happened.
One night, as Aria sat alone in the Great Hall, gazing at the Lumina Stone (which was now kept under constant guard), a bright light filled the room. A light so intense it forced her to close her eyes.
When she was able to open them again, she saw a figure standing before her. A tall man with a long white beard and blue eyes that shone with ancient wisdom. He wore starry blue robes and a pointed hat.
"Fear not, Aria," the man said, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Merlin."
Aria gasped. Merlin, the legendary wizard, the advisor to kings, the architect of Camelot... was there, in Umbria.
"I have come to help you," Merlin continued. "I have heard the call of magic, the cry for help from this place. And I have not come alone."
Behind Merlin, other figures began to appear, as if emerging from the light itself. Fifteen wizards and sorceresses, dressed in robes of different colors and styles, each with an aura of power that made the air tremble around them.
"These are the Ancient Wizards," Merlin said. "Guardians of magic, protectors of the balance. We have come to join your fight against the darkness."
The Ancient Wizards were legends, names whispered in the history books of magic. They were there: Morgana Le Fay, with her piercing gaze and night-black hair; Nimue, the Lady of the Lake, with her aura of serenity and her power over water; Circe, the sorceress from the island of Aeaea, with her knowledge of herbs and enchantments; Hecate, the goddess of magic, with her triple face and her dominion over darkness; and many others, each with their own unique abilities and specialties.
The arrival of Merlin and the Ancient Magi brought new hope to Umbria. Their presence, their wisdom, their power, were a beacon of light in the gathering darkness.
Merlin, with his knowledge of the arcane arts, became the chief advisor to Aria and the Council. The Ancient Magi, each in their own area of expertise, took it upon themselves to train the students and teachers of Umbria, preparing them for the coming battle.
New training regimes were established. The students learned advanced combat spells, magical defense techniques, and war strategies. They were taught to work as a team, to combine their skills, to become a united and unstoppable force.
But Merlin knew that magic alone would not be enough to defeat the Red Wizards. They needed allies, warriors, creatures with unique abilities that could complement their magic.
And then, Merlin revealed his most audacious plan.
"There are beings in this world," he said, during a Council meeting, "who have been feared and despised for centuries. Beings of the night, with dark power and a fearsome reputation. But in times of despair, we must be willing to seek help in the most unexpected places."
Merlin spoke of the Punisher Vampires, a little-known branch of the vampire species. Unlike common vampires, the Punishers fed on blood not for pleasure or sustenance, but out of necessity, and only from those they deemed "evil." They possessed unique abilities, such as the ability to move among the shadows, superhuman strength and speed, and a resistance to conventional magic.
"The Punishers are born warriors," Merlin said. "And their hatred of Chaos and corruption makes them ideal allies in this fight."
The proposal was met with skepticism and fear. Vampires, even Punishers, were considered dangerous and unpredictable creatures.
But Aria, remembering the Banshee's warning to seek allies in the most unexpected places, supported Merlin's idea.
"I trust in Merlin's wisdom," she said. "And I believe we should
One night, as Aria sat alone in the Great Hall, gazing at the Lumina Stone (which was now kept under constant guard), a bright light filled the room. A light so intense it forced her to close her eyes.
When she was able to open them again, she saw a figure standing before her. A tall man with a long white beard and blue eyes that shone with ancient wisdom. He wore starry blue robes and a pointed hat.
"Fear not, Aria," the man said, his voice deep and resonant. "I am Merlin."
Aria gasped. Merlin, the legendary wizard, the advisor to kings, the architect of Camelot... was there, in Umbria.
"I have come to help you," Merlin continued. "I have heard the call of magic, the cry for help from this place. And I have not come alone."
Behind Merlin, other figures began to appear, as if emerging from the light itself. Fifteen wizards and sorceresses, dressed in robes of different colors and styles, each with an aura of power that made the air tremble around them.
"These are the Ancient Wizards," Merlin said. "Guardians of magic, protectors of the balance. We have come to join your fight against the darkness."
The Ancient Wizards were legends, names whispered in the history books of magic. They were there: Morgana Le Fay, with her piercing gaze and night-black hair; Nimue, the Lady of the Lake, with her aura of serenity and her power over water; Circe, the sorceress from the island of Aeaea, with her knowledge of herbs and enchantments; Hecate, the goddess of magic, with her triple face and her dominion over darkness; and many others, each with their own unique abilities and specialties.
The arrival of Merlin and the Ancient Magi brought new hope to Umbria. Their presence, their wisdom, their power, were a beacon of light in the gathering darkness.
Merlin, with his knowledge of the arcane arts, became the chief advisor to Aria and the Council. The Ancient Magi, each in their own area of expertise, took it upon themselves to train the students and teachers of Umbria, preparing them for the coming battle.
New training regimes were established. The students learned advanced combat spells, magical defense techniques, and war strategies. They were taught to work as a team, to combine their skills, to become a united and unstoppable force.
But Merlin knew that magic alone would not be enough to defeat the Red Wizards. They needed allies, warriors, creatures with unique abilities that could complement their magic.
And then, Merlin revealed his most audacious plan.
"There are beings in this world," he said, during a Council meeting, "who have been feared and despised for centuries. Beings of the night, with dark power and a fearsome reputation. But in times of despair, we must be willing to seek help in the most unexpected places."
Merlin spoke of the Punisher Vampires, a little-known branch of the vampire species. Unlike common vampires, the Punishers fed on blood not for pleasure or sustenance, but out of necessity, and only from those they deemed "evil." They possessed unique abilities, such as the ability to move among the shadows, superhuman strength and speed, and a resistance to conventional magic.
"The Punishers are born warriors," Merlin said. "And their hatred of Chaos and corruption makes them ideal allies in this fight."
The proposal was met with skepticism and fear. Vampires, even Punishers, were considered dangerous and unpredictable creatures.
But Aria, remembering the Banshee's warning to seek allies in the most unexpected places, supported Merlin's idea.
"I trust in Merlin's wisdom," she said. "And I believe we should