Secrets buried beneath stone have a habit of clawing their way back into the light—especially when they carry the stench of blood and dark prophecy.
Marummuha was deep within the pyramid when a mysterious stranger came searching for her.
"Akenu is my name," the man introduced himself, his voice heavy with intent. "I am looking for the High Priestess, Marummuha."
"I am Marummuha," she replied, standing beside Kaer. "How may I be of service?"
"What I have to say cannot fall into just any set of ears," Akenu said, lowering his tone. "I am the leader of the Edresmont people."
"I've heard of your people," Marummuha noted. "You are miners."
"That is what the world knows," Akenu said grimly. "What they don't know is what I am about to tell you."
"As High Priestess, whatever you speak here remains buried within these pyramid walls," she assured him. "And the man beside me can be trusted without question."
"I've learned that in the very near future, my people will be under attack by the Natorhog monsters," Akenu revealed.
"The Natorhog?" Marummuha echoed, her brow furrowing.
"Yes. They are formidable beasts—demonic entities said to hail from another world," he explained. "I've never faced one myself; I've only heard whispers brought by travelers from distant lands. But these Natorhog monsters will reanimate the ancient mummies, turning them into creatures known as Vampires. Eventually, these vampires will grow so overwhelmingly powerful that the Natorhog will go from being their creators to their obedient servants—disciplined soldiers in their army."
"So you're telling us these Natorhog intend to awaken the dead?" Marummuha asked, trying to grasp the scale of the threat. "Where did you hear such a story?"
"I didn't hear it—I read it," Akenu answered. "During our excavations, my men uncovered a hidden chamber, a vault filled with ancient manuscripts. Among them was a tome titled The History of the Worlds. That is where all of this is recorded. I've studied it thoroughly. If you help us, I will give these manuscripts to you as a gift. I believe you will know how to put them to far better use."
He paused, turning his gaze toward Kaer, gesturing directly at him. "It was in those texts that I also read about the arrival of The Eternal Spirit—or The Keeper, as he is known."
"And what do these monsters want from your people?" Marummuha asked.
"We live inside the mountain, within a vast network of caves," Akenu explained. "We mine malachite and turquoise—extracting copper from the malachite while our artisans fashion the turquoise into fine jewelry. But that isn't what they're after."
"Then what is it?"
"That is our greatest secret," Akenu said, his eyes darkening. "Alongside the minerals, we extract a minute quantity of a unique substance we call Swichor. Over time, we discovered its worth is beyond measure."
"What makes this substance so special?"
"Beyond its miraculous healing properties, it allows one to glimpse the future. And for those gifted with mental abilities, Swichor amplifies their raw power exponentially. I came to you because I refuse to let Swichor fall into demonic hands."
Marummuha and Kaer stepped away into an adjoining chamber to confer in private.
"I can petition the Pharaoh for a full army corps," Marummuha offered.
"That won't be necessary," Kaer said quietly. "We can handle this ourselves. Even though... I know how the Natorhog fight. They are agile, brutal, and terrifyingly intelligent. Their bodies carry natural weaponry—razor-sharp claws, vicious fangs, and armor-like metallic scales. They obliterated the settlement where I grew up, cutting through seasoned warriors like paper. I've heard their leader is named Garrmud, though I have yet to face him." He met her eyes, steady and resolute. "We go with Akenu. We will defend the Edresmont."
As Kaer spoke the name Garrmud, an uncanny chill rippled through the air, and the shadows within the pyramid seemed to lengthen. Miles away, beneath the jagged peaks of the mountain, a dark energy was already pulsing in the deep—and the clock toward war had officially begun ticking.