Lucifer and Morvain left the dark dungeon and journeyed back toward the palace.
Morvain's mind was still reeling from what he had seen below — creatures so vile they could erase humanity if ever unleashed.
He swallowed hard, walking a few paces behind Lucifer, whose cloak fluttered in the wind like a shroud of shadow.
To think that Prince Gerald lost the battle even with those monsters… he mused silently. The Crown must be truly powerful indeed.
His face betrayed the turmoil in his mind. He wanted to ask something — but hesitated.
Lucifer, ever perceptive, smirked without turning.
"What's on your mind, Morvain?"
Morvain stiffened, startled. Then, gathering himself, he spoke.
"What about the Crown of Life?"
Lucifer's tone remained calm, almost amused. "What about it?"
"Don't you think it's going to be a threat?" Morvain pressed, anxiety flickering in his voice.
"Yes, I know," Lucifer said, smiling faintly.
"Then what are we going to do about it?"
Lucifer's eyes glinted like black fire. "Be rest assured, Morvain. Without the map and the girl, our hands are tied."
"So what are we doing, exactly?"
Lucifer chuckled — low, confident, chilling.
"Wait. We are going to wait."
He turned slightly, his grin widening. "The Crown will come to us."
Morvain narrowed his eyes as he watched Lucifer from behind — a strange mixture of respect, fear, and loyalty forming in his gaze.
Hours later, they reached the towering gates of Claesumspire Fortress.
Lucifer's cloak whipped in the wind as he stared at the ancient structure from afar.
Morvain bowed slightly. "Let's enter, my lord."
Lucifer exhaled slowly. "I have somewhere else to be. You may go ahead."
Before Morvain could respond, the air around Lucifer rippled — and in an instant, he vanished into darkness.
Morvain gasped. "What a strange master I serve."
---
Meanwhile, in Drakthar Dominion,
Kaelen stood before his obsidian throne, pacing back and forth, the air heavy with unease.
The silence broke as the space before him shimmered — and Lucifer appeared in the center of the hall, his presence swallowing the light around him.
Lucifer smiled faintly. "What happened?"
"Nothing… I just wanted to confirm something," Kaelen said, his voice cautious.
Lucifer clasped his hands behind his back, his grin sharpening. "I'm listening."
Kaelen took a deep breath. "You said you would help me become the Overlord of Aetheris. But… what will I owe you in return?"
Lucifer's laughter echoed softly, dark and amused.
"You're just realizing that now?"