The magic circle beneath Hades cracked and unravelled, its patterns breaking apart into fragments of raw energy. The lines twisted, folding into the shape of a radiant ring. Slowly, it descended like a crown forged of light and shadow before settling onto him. The power sank into his being, nourishing his soul.
Hades's eyes snapped open mid-recitation. His voice echoed in the cave.
"Creation: Fourteen Gates of Oblivion!"
Reality bent. Behind him, a gate vast as the sky took shape, forged from black-gold, inscribed with runes that pulsed like veins of fire.
He thrust out his hand.
"Seal: Apocalypse of the Underworld!"
The colossal doors groaned and creaked as they shut. A blinding brilliance burst from their seams, drowning even the shadows in merciless light. Then silence fell. The gate vanished, sealed into nothingness.
Hades fell back to the ground. His chest heaved, each breath ragged. Dark cracks etched across his skin, as though his body itself might shatter. With effort, he summoned his divinity; pale light wrapped around him, knitting torn flesh and easing the strain.
He exhaled sharply.
"With this forbidden ritual, I have sealed my apocalypse form within the Fourteenth Gate. The remaining thirteen shall hold shards of my power. When I call them… they will answer and grant me power in the form of enhancement, even in nullification fields or where divinity is bound."
His gaze darkened.
"…Yet, this is still not enough. The apocalypse form is too powerful; it cannot be sealed, only weakened."
He sighed, then let a wry smile tug at his lips.
"I can almost hear Lady Ananke cursing me for weaving another forbidden ritual. But perhaps she will understand. Some things… cannot be left unprepared."
He leaned back, letting his exhausted body stretch.
"My wife hasn't sent me any signal. That must mean they're still not ready. Good… that leaves me more time."
He extended a hand. The many facets of his divinity coalesced into a glowing orb: underworld, shadow, chains, whispers, and fear. All swirled together in orbit. His eyes glinted with curiosity.
"Then I shall use this time… to uncover what secrets my divinity still hides."
Cross-legged, he began his research anew.
---
The training field was wide, dusty, and merciless. Five demons stood in line, stiff-backed but nervous, carrying both pride and dread.
Druvak stood before them straight and tall. He wore majestic black armour and a helmet. He gazed at them coldly.
"I am Druvak, knight of the crown and your instructor. You five were chosen for the elite unit because of your personality and talent. Each of you excels in a different weapon. Step forward and introduce yourselves."
They obeyed in turn.
"Greetings, sir, I am Ars. And I am good with a spear." Ars was a disciplined and gentlemanly type of person.
"Myself, Gobuka. Swords specialist." Gobuka was the most mischievous and cheerful person.
"Tylon. Mace." His body was quite broad and muscular; he was mostly the type of person who spoke few words and preferred less populated areas.
"Hello, Instructor. I am Julie. I am good with daggers and assassination or scout-type fields." She was a talkative and friendly type of person.
Last was Harley, trembling slightly. "I… I am Harley. Archery." She was quite nervous, less confident, and an introvert.
Druvak gave a curt nod, then handed out a parchment. "Your schedule. Until you become full-fledged elite knights, these drills are your daily practice."
They all looked at the parchment and froze.
"Forty kilometres… running?" Ars muttered.
"Daily… one hundred push-ups?" Julie blinked.
"Weightlifting one hundred and fifty kilos?!" Tylon groaned.
Gobuka scratched his head. "Daily duels with the instructor… well, that at least sounds survivable."
"Harsh?" Druvak's head tilted. "Hmph. When I was your age, I trained ten times harder. And I achieved what I am now."
Gobuka leaned toward Tylon, whispering, "That's why he's a skeleton."
"I heard that."
Gobuka froze, sweating. "…I mean… a majestic skeleton, sir."
"Enough chatter! Run!"
The five bolted into motion, boots hammering the dirt.
At five kilometres, they were already on the ground, wheezing like dying oxen.
Julie sprawled flat. "Kill me. At least then I won't have to run anymore."
Ars stabbed his spear into the dirt, panting. "We're warriors… not horses…"
Harley lay face-down, whispering, "I hate… legs."
Druvak loomed over them, arms folded. "Why did you stop? Thirty-five kilometres left."
The five groaned in unison.
Gobuka muttered under his breath, "One day… I'll smash that skull head…"
Julie, equally low, "Count me in."
Harley wanted to say something but didn't know what; after much thought, she mustered, "Good… luck."
"Would you prefer double the distance?" Druvak's hollow voice cut in.
"NOOO!" they screamed, scrambling back onto their feet, dragging their half-dead bodies forward.
As they staggered on, Julie hissed to Harley, "If we survive this, remind me to slit his throat in his sleep."
Harley, pale and trembling, nodded.
Hours later, they lay sprawled across the ground like corpses, barely breathing.
Druvak stood over them, unimpressed. "Pathetic. You couldn't even complete basic drills. Before knight training, I'll have to rebuild your bodies from scratch."
The five exchanged horrified looks.
…This wasn't knight training?
---
In the temple's office, Amazel rushed in, holding a scroll. Hecate was reading reports when she looked up.
"Big sis! The Dominos clans want to come under us!"
"What?" Hecate's brow furrowed. "Explain."
"The leaders of all seven clans are here. Waiting outside."
Hecate rubbed her temple. "…Fine. Arrange a meeting in the meeting hall."
As Amazel hurried away, Hecate murmured to herself.
"The Dominos clans… Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Darkness, Light, and Tree. If they join us, I can form a new legion of mages. Our growth would multiply severalfold. This is a catch too large to ignore. I have to negotiate with them on profitable terms. But why do they want to come under us now?"
In the meeting hall, seven spirit-like beings stood waiting. As Hecate entered, they rose respectfully.
"Please, sit."
They obeyed.
"The Dominos clan is ancient and proud," Hecate said smoothly. "What compels you to seek us now?"
The old Dark Dominos leader leaned forward. "I'll speak plainly. Centuries ago, a prophecy was given: In the future, the Underworld will choose a king who shall remake it into a new realm, and we shall serve him as subjects."
Hecate's eyes narrowed. "Then why not join earlier?"
"We doubted whether the current king was the king the prophecy told of or not. But when he slew Miramor, all doubts vanished. It only took time to prepare for our displacement."
He paused, then added with a grim smile. "I know you doubt us. And you have the right to. In this chaotic era, enemies are everywhere. But we have no other intent."
Then he looked toward the other leaders and nodded; the seven leaders spoke in unison.
"We swear, in the name of the Cosmos, our clans and our descendants shall serve the Crown of the Underworld."
Hecate's eyes widened. The Cosmos Oath was the most dangerous vow in existence. If broken, even one's past would be erased.
Slowly, she rose. "Very well. I accept."
She beckoned Amazel forward. "This is Amazel, my most trusted and intelligent aide. She is like a sister to me. She will guide you and explain all the customs and rules. If any problem arises, just mention her; with her wit, she solves them easily."
Amazel froze, eyes wide, then blushed with joy. Big sis… she trusts me that much… Her chest swelled with pride.
Suddenly, she realized something and looked back. But Hecate was gone.
Ahh… She tricked me again, dumped the work.