While the Light Side of Shiora was still drowning in festivals and laughter, the Dark Side had already begun to stir.
A slow but steady march of monstrous legions made their way along the throne path. Some of them, confused, turned to a knight in a black helmet and asked,
"What's the mission?"
The knight raised his voice so all could hear:
"Our Queen, Elyka, will speak. Everyone is to gather at the capital. Now move! We have a long road ahead!"
After three days of travel, the shadow of the dark kingdom loomed large. Trillions of creatures had gathered just outside the throne gates, buzzing with anticipation. At the center, standing still with eerie composure, was a lone figure.
Elyka approached him with a few of her noble knights.
"Where are the others, Virelka?" she asked.
Virelka replied with calm clarity,
"Nujah's awakening brought light to their region. It'll take at least a day or two for them to arrive. But there's no need to worry."
Elyka smiled faintly.
"You feel it too, don't you? Your brother. For the first time in ten years… he screamed. And in that moment, he revealed his position to us."
Her tone sharpened, but the grin on her lips remained.
"And to make it better, he's not even in his true body. He's trapped in a mortal shell."
Virelka, visibly intrigued, asked with a spark in his eyes,
"Is that why so many of our kin came? But… who's the soul inside that body, Mother?"
Elyka turned slightly. Her knights stepped aside.
"Naraka's human child. Shinrei confirmed it. It's Nujah."
The moment the name was spoken, the room shifted. Virelka, the knights, and even the shadows themselves began to smile—unsettling and wide.
"It won't be as easy as we thought," Virelka admitted.
"Without brute force like Serekhka's, capturing him could be—"
"There's no need," Elyka interrupted smoothly.
"As long as we draw him to the place of our choosing, that's enough."
Virelka sighed.
"So I'll be the bait again, huh?" he asked, already grinning.
"What do I do this time, Mother?"
Elyka smiled with pride.
"What you always do. The enemy doesn't even know you exist. Like your brothers, you'll slip into the world. Disguise yourself. Enter his winter. Fool the purest one. Steal her. Then lead Nujah to where we want him."
Virelka's voice dropped. A mix of fear and thrill.
"And if Naraka or Nujah are there?"
Elyka's voice turned colder.
"The full force of the dark realm will be with you. Even Naraka won't sense your presence. Besides…"
Her smile twisted.
"Serekhka's child is apparently still alive. Useless, of course—takes after his mother. I was hoping Naraka would kill him and save me the trouble, but she let him live."
Virelka interrupted with a chuckle.
"Father and son on vacation, probably somewhere with elves."
Elyka ignored the joke. Her expression sharpened.
"Focus. Once everyone's ready, you'll enter through the rift I'll open. Take Nujah's form. Lure Maria to the place I show you. We'll handle the rest."
She turned and walked slowly onto the grand balcony.
Below her, waves of beasts, monsters, and dark soldiers filled the endless horizon. The air itself trembled with ancient hunger.
Elyka raised both hands. Her voice echoed like thunder:
"Bring back Serekhka!"
A roar erupted across the land.
For the first time in ages…
The darkness was rising again.
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