The King of Arkanis
The royal castle of Arkanis stood at the center of the kingdom like a wounded giant.
Its tall towers were cracked, and parts of the walls had collapsed from the recent attacks. Soldiers guarded every entrance, their faces tired but determined. The large gates slowly opened as Kazan and Riki approached, escorted by two royal guards.
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy and quiet.
Torches burned along the stone walls, casting long shadows across the hallways. Servants and soldiers moved carefully, whispering among themselves. Fear and worry filled the castle.
Riki looked around as they walked.
"This place feels tense," he said quietly.
Kazan nodded.
"Everyone is afraid. The attack must have shaken them badly."
The guards stopped in front of a large wooden door decorated with the royal symbol of Arkanis — a silver lion holding a sword.
One of the guards turned to them.
"The King is waiting for you inside."
The doors slowly opened.
CREEEEAK.
Kazan and Riki stepped into the throne room.
The room was large but silent. Red carpets stretched across the stone floor, and tall windows allowed dim sunlight to enter. At the far end of the room stood the royal throne.
Sitting on the throne was the King of Arkanis.
He looked weak.
His body was thin, and his face was pale. He wore royal robes, but they hung loosely on him as if he had lost much weight. A blanket covered his legs, and beside him stood a royal doctor and two guards.
The king coughed slightly as they entered.
"Welcome… brave warriors."
Kazan and Riki walked forward and bowed respectfully.
"We greet you, Your Majesty," Kazan said.
The king smiled weakly.
"I heard about what you did in the city. You defeated the Shadow Commander and saved many lives."
Riki scratched his head slightly.
"We just did what we had to do."
The king nodded slowly.
"Even so… you have done what my army could not."
He gestured for them to come closer.
"Please, step forward."
They moved closer to the throne.
Now they could clearly see how weak the king was. His breathing was slow, and his hands trembled slightly.
Kazan spoke gently.
"Your Majesty, what happened to you?"
The king sighed.
"The shadows… they did not only attack the kingdom. They attacked me as well."
Riki frowned.
"Attacked you?"
The king nodded.
"Several weeks ago, a dark figure entered the castle at night. It moved like smoke and darkness. My guards could not stop it. It attacked me and placed a dark curse on my body."
The doctor stepped forward.
"The curse is slowly draining His Majesty's life force."
Kazan's eyes hardened.
"So the Shadow Commander was not the main enemy."
The king shook his head.
"No… he was only a servant."
The room became silent.
Riki crossed his arms.
"Then who is the real enemy?"
The king looked at them seriously.
"A Devil Lord."
Kazan's eyes narrowed.
"A Devil Lord?"
The king nodded slowly.
"Yes. A powerful ruler of shadows and darkness. He is the one controlling the shadow army and spreading destruction across the land."
The air in the throne room felt heavy.
Riki spoke carefully.
"Where is this Devil Lord?"
The king pointed weakly toward the mountains beyond the kingdom.
"In the Dark Mountain Region… hidden in ancient ruins. That is where his power grows."
Kazan clenched his fists.
"So he is the one behind everything."
The king continued.
"There is more."
He slowly raised his hand, and one of the guards brought a small wooden box.
The king opened it.
Inside was an old glowing crystal.
It shined with a faint golden light.
"This is an ancient artifact of Arkanis," the king said.
Kazan stared at it.
"What does it do?"
The king answered.
"It is called the Heart of Arkanis. It protects the kingdom from darkness. But its power is fading. If the Devil Lord destroys it, this kingdom will fall completely."
Riki stepped closer.
"So you want us to protect it?"
The king nodded.
"Yes… but also more than that."
He looked directly at Kazan and Riki.
"I want you to stop the Devil Lord."
The room fell silent again.
Kazan spoke firmly.
"We will do it."
Riki looked at Kazan and smiled slightly.
"Yeah. We can't just sit and watch this place fall."
The king looked relieved.
"You are brave warriors… truly worthy of being called protectors."
Suddenly, a soldier rushed into the throne room.
"Your Majesty!"
Everyone turned.
"What is it?" the king asked weakly.
The soldier spoke urgently.
"Scouts have reported movement in the Dark Mountain Region! A large shadow army is gathering!"
Riki sighed.
"That was fast."
Kazan stepped forward.
"Looks like they are preparing another attack."
The king looked worried.
"You must be careful. The Devil Lord is far stronger than the Shadow Commander."
Kazan nodded.
"We understand."
Riki smiled confidently.
"We'll get stronger and take him down."
The king leaned back slightly.
"Then go… prepare yourselves. The future of Arkanis is now in your hands."
Kazan and Riki bowed.
"We will not fail."
As they turned to leave the throne room, Kazan felt something strange.
A cold presence.
Far away in the mountains.
Watching them.
A deep dark voice echoed in the distance.
"So… the Flameborne has come…"
The shadows began to gather again.
And the Devil Lord slowly opened his glowing red eyes.