The hall of Luminar Academy was quiet, the night cloaking its towers in darkness. The wards we had reinforced shimmered faintly, glowing under the moonlight like sentinels keeping watch over a fragile peace. Lyra and Thorne were by my side, their eyes alert as I prepared for the moment we had trained for: summoning the Lech.
"Time to meet our ally," I murmured, focusing on the Tamer Park.
I opened the pocket space, my hands glowing with synchronized mana, and called upon the Lech. At first, the ground trembled, and the air filled with a cold, unnatural wind as the undead army shifted in response. The familiar skeletal form of the Lech materialized—but then, something impossible happened.
The massive skeletal figure shimmered, bones fusing and reshaping, black veins of energy coalescing into a humanoid form. Within seconds, the Lech had transformed into a tall, strikingly handsome man, his long hair flowing like liquid midnight. His eyes glowed with the same dark intelligence, but there was something… regal about him now.
I staggered back slightly, awe replacing my anticipation. "What…?"
The Lech's voice was smooth, deep, and commanding. "I am… what you wished me to be," he said, his tone resonating with power. "I am no longer merely the controller of the undead. I am the one who rules over them. The master of legions."
I noticed immediately: the transformation was feeding off something. His aura seemed to draw from my very core—the divine energy that I carried as Kael. A connection had always existed between us, but this was more intimate, more potent. The Lech was amplifying his form, using my divine core as the anchor to maintain his humanoid state.
"Incredible," I whispered. "He's feeding off me… but he's stable. He's fully loyal."
I stepped forward cautiously, extending my mana toward him. "You have a new form now," I said. "And with it, a name. I call you… Brown."
The Lech—now Brown—smiled faintly, a subtle curve that was both charming and intimidating. "Brown… I will answer to that name, master." His tone acknowledged our connection without subservience. The aura he radiated pulsed with power, steady yet immense.
---
At that moment, a noise echoed from the entrance of the hall. My ten friends—Amara, Lyra, Elian, Thorne, Vex, Zephyr, Luminor, Malina, Pallas, and even Stephene Stone—had returned, each with expressions of exhaustion mixed with relief.
Their eyes fell upon Brown. Shock rippled through the group.
"Kael… what is that?!" Amara exclaimed, stepping back instinctively.
Elian's jaw dropped. "That… that's the Lech?"
Thorne's hand instinctively went to his sword, though his eyes betrayed both awe and disbelief. "He looks… human."
Vex adjusted his glasses, squinting at Brown. "Impossible. The energy readings… that's not skeletal. That's… a humanoid form powered by divine energy."
Lyra stepped forward cautiously. "Kael… explain. Now."
I took a deep breath. "This is Brown. The Lech has transformed—feeding off my divine core to maintain this form. He is now humanoid, with the power to command all undead under his control. He is fully loyal to me."
A moment of silence followed. Then Malina broke it, shaking her head in disbelief. "One million undead… controlled by a single person… in a human form?"
Brown's gaze swept across the group. "I am here to serve the balance. Those who threaten life shall face judgment. But those who follow Kael are protected."
Pallas, in her human form, tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "Kael… are you certain this is safe? He's feeding off your divine core. What if something goes wrong?"
I shook my head, feeling the pulse of energy connecting me to Brown. "I've sensed him before, at the village with the undead horde. His loyalty isn't just forced—it's mutual. We share a bond. And if he feeds off me, it stabilizes him, not the other way around. I've monitored the energy flow. I can maintain it."
Luminor nodded thoughtfully. "This could change everything. Strategically, you now have a full army at your command. But you must remain cautious. One misstep could be catastrophic."
Brown's aura pulsed subtly, almost as if acknowledging Luminor's caution. "I understand, my master," he said smoothly. "The undead answer to you, not me. My form exists to consolidate power, to enforce your will efficiently."
---
The friends slowly gathered around, their initial shock giving way to curiosity and strategic consideration.
Amara stepped closer to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Kael… this is incredible. But… are you prepared for the responsibility?"
I met her gaze, steady. "I have to be. The demons aren't waiting. Nox, Lindon, Van, Dox… they will strike soon. Brown gives us the edge we need."
Thorne grinned faintly. "Well… I have to admit. He looks less intimidating as a guy and more like… a terrifying bodyguard now. That works for me."
Vex muttered, almost to himself, "I need to run simulations. One million undead… humanoid commander… synchronization with Kael's divine core. This is… unprecedented."
Lyra sighed, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "We trust you, Kael. And… him. But make no mistake—the responsibility is immense. Even Brown has limits. Even divine cores have thresholds."
I nodded, feeling the steady pulse of energy within me. Brown's form glimmered faintly, his long hair flowing, eyes meeting mine with respect and acknowledgment. This wasn't just a creature of war. This was a partner, an ally, a force that would tip the scales in the battles to come.
> "Together," I thought, letting the energy connect me fully to Brown, "we will face them all. No matter how many demons rise against us, we will not falter."*
---
Brown stepped closer, his presence radiating authority. "Master," he said, voice calm and commanding, "direct me, and the undead shall obey. The armies of the Lech are yours to command."
I looked at my friends, seeing their mix of awe and apprehension. "Everyone," I said, voice firm, "meet Brown. He will help us in the battles to come. And yes… he's powerful. But with him, with all of us together, we can challenge the demons controlling the academies. We can protect the lands. And we will."
Stephene Stone, ever practical, nodded slowly. "Then let's get started. Time waits for no one. Nox and Lindon won't hold back. Neither can we."
Brown's gaze swept across each of them. "I serve Kael. And through him, the undead shall remain under order, not chaos. We march together, or not at all."
The friends exchanged glances, slowly nodding in agreement. It was an unspoken understanding: the reunion, the transformation, and the power at our disposal were all part of the next stage of the fight.
For the first time in weeks, I felt a surge of hope, tempered by caution. Brown was more than just the Lech. He was a symbol of our potential, a force that could unify the undead against the demons and strengthen our defenses.
I placed a hand on Brown's shoulder. "Are you ready?" I asked softly.
His eyes glimmered, long hair flowing like a dark banner. "I am ready, master. Lead the way."
And with that, our full circle of ten friends, reunited, prepared to face the darkness—stronger than ever, with a new power at our command, and the undead's ruler by our side.