As they crossed the portal, a greenish glow enveloped the group, and soon they found themselves in the mystical Spiritual Zone. The landscape shifted between ethereal forests and floating mountains. At its center lay a shimmering village, its structures made of living crystal. The air was thick with magical energy, almost pulsating, and the sound of the wind carried whispers of ancient wisdom.
The gnome sage, with his long beard and eyes gleaming with curiosity, approached them, leaning on a staff adorned with glowing runes. He studied them carefully, furrowing his brow before finally speaking:
- Spencer: "You must train—to reach the full potential within each of you. It won't be easy, but it's necessary." - He paused, his curious gaze scanning the group. - "Where are the other members of the Templar Knights?"
Midoki crossed his arms and sighed.
- Midoki: "One's out seeking more power, two of them are currently unable to continue, another two… have vanished. And there are still three empty spots left in the group."
Spencer, who had remained silent until then, let out a weary sigh.
- Spencer: "What kind of members are you choosing, Midoki?"
- Midoki: "One from each race, of course…" - Midoki replied, his tone defensive.
Spencer raised an eyebrow.
- Spencer: "And you don't even know what the last three races will be, do you? Or better yet—do you even know why your father commanded that?"
Midoki hesitated, his brows knitting in confusion.
- Midoki: "Isn't it to represent… diversity?"
Spencer laughed, though there was no humor in his voice.
- Spencer: "To represent diversity? That's only a fragment of the reason." - He pointed a finger at Midoki, as if scolding him. - "Didn't your father ever tell you? He was a good friend of mine, you know. I was the one who taught him the foundations of this legendary order. The first Templar Knights were heroes from thirteen different races. And it was the unique combination of their auras that sealed King Arthur and Chaos itself."
Midoki's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and frustration spreading across his face.
- Midoki: "My father never told me any of that!"
Spencer narrowed his eyes, studying him.
- Spencer: "Maybe he tried—but knowing you, you probably weren't paying attention."
A glimmer of memory flickered in Midoki's eyes. He shook his head, as if trying to clear away the fog of the past.
Flashback
Midoki, ten years old, sat before his father's throne. The king's face was stern, though his eyes shone with a mixture of pride and concern.
- King Canvos: "One day, you'll bear the duty of gathering thirteen members of different races, Midoki. That will be your mission as—"
- Midoki: "You mean I'll have my own order of knights!?" - Midoki interrupted, his eyes sparkling with excitement. Before the king could explain further, he ran off to tell his school friends, leaving his father speechless and mildly frustrated.
Time passed, and the young knight grew up, forgetting the vital importance of that order—and of his mission.
End of Flashback
The focus shifts to Durin, now chained within Surtur's Prison, which had emerged from a rift after the Underworld's seal was broken. The structure stood as a monument to demonic cruelty, rising from the depths and gleaming with a menacing black light. The air was dense, thick with the stench of sulfur and the echoes of endless screams.
Durin was shackled to the wall by heavy chains, her strength fading day by day. Yet she refused to surrender to despair. Her eyes fixed upon the narrow sliver of light filtering through the ceiling.
- Durin: "One day… one day I'll get out of here." - Her voice was steady, but faint, almost a whisper to herself.
Meanwhile, outside, Gronnak—who had once been captured but escaped from Mammon's Shadow Seal—was in motion. For a year and a half, he had planned his strike against Surtur's Prison on the continent of Solvaris, working alongside a former prisoner named Keldor, a man whose face was crisscrossed with scars but whose eyes burned with determination.
Keldor adjusted his rusted armor, speaking in a grave tone:
- Keldor: "The plan's simple—but deadly. I'll let them capture me again and help Durin from the inside. You'll take care of destroying the prison's foundations from the outside."
Gronnak nodded, his hand tightening around the massive war hammer strapped to his back.
- Gronnak: "Understood. But the real problem will be Agares, the Executioner. He's not someone you face head-on."
- Narrator: "Agares is the only demon Lucifer takes no pleasure in killing—for two reasons. The first is that he's useful beyond measure. Surtur's Prison exists only as long as Agares lives. Without him, Hell itself would lose its depth. The second reason is far more intriguing… Agares is the only demon who does not fear Lucifer. Unlike the others who bow to his power and authority, Agares does not kneel—and that, as much as Lucifer despises it, is something he cannot help but respect."
Keldor gave a bitter smile.
- Keldor: "Don't worry about me. I'll survive… like I always have."
The two shared a firm handshake. Gronnak watched as Keldor vanished into the smoke surrounding the prison. He knew that soon he would face not only Agares—but his own inner demons as well.
Inside Surtur, screams echoed again as Keldor was dragged by demonic guards and thrown into the same cell as Durin. She looked at him, eyes widening with disbelief and a spark of hope.
- Durin: "After everything… you came back?"
- Keldor: "I came back to end this once and for all… I still owed you one." - Keldor's voice was firm, filled with determination.
Durin lifted her gaze once more toward the sliver of light—this time, her eyes shining with renewed resolve.
- Durin: "Then let's do this together."
Meanwhile, Gronnak advanced through the shadows outside, ready to bring Surtur down—or die trying.