Atem stood amidst the ruins of Eterna, his gaze fixed on Shion and the other fallen citizens. The silence pressed against him, heavy as a tombstone. The survivors looked to him for hope, but Atem's mind was already turning toward the impossible task ahead.
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Atem's jaw tightened. "Ten thousand…?" His voice was steady, but inside, a storm of resolve and anger raged. "So many… all gone… all of Eterna's people… all of them lost."
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Atem's eyes burned. He knelt briefly beside Shion, placing a hand over her chest. "I won't fail. Not Shion… not anyone." His tone was unwavering, heavy with duty. "If I must take on this weight to save them, then I will. I will bear it… and I will rise as the Demon Lord of Eterna."
Atem rose slowly, his shadow stretching long over the ruined plaza."The Falmuth army will fall. Every soul I claim will serve a purpose. Every life taken… will pave the way for salvation. And when I ascend, no one will suffer like this again."
The survivors around him shivered, some in fear, some in awe. Atem's presence radiated the gravity of a Pharaoh, a strategist, and a protector all in one—someone who could shoulder impossible burdens and still inspire loyalty.
Benimaru stepped forward, eyes burning with determination. "Master… tell us what to do first. We follow your command without question."
Atem's gaze swept across the ruined city, over the countless fallen souls. His voice was calm, but every word carried the weight of unshakable resolve.
"We start by gathering intelligence. Every enemy, every army that threatened Eterna… we find them, we bring them to account. Each step brings me closer to evolution… each victory ensures our future. And once the path is clear… I will awaken as a Demon Lord."
He called for a full meeting with his generals. They gathered fast. Benimaru stood straight and waiting. Hakuro's face was set like stone. Shuna clutched her prayer beads. Geld's large hands rested on the table. Gabiru and Gobta shifted impatiently.
As they began to plan, the shadows in the doorway moved. Souei slipped in, silent as ever. He bowed once, then reported in a flat voice: "Master. My spies saw their forces mustering. About twenty thousand soldiers are moving toward Eterna now."
A hush fell across the hall. Twenty thousand. That number was terrible and clear.
Atem's voice cut through the smoke and low murmurs like a blade. He stood at the head of the table, cloak hanging heavy, eyes burning with a cold, terrible calm.
"Listen to me — all of you. Listen well." His tone brooked no interruption. The room went quiet. "I will ascend. I will become a Demon Lord. To do that I need ten thousand human souls."
He let the weight of the words settle, then continued, each sentence slow and precise. "The Falmuth army marching on Eterna numbers twenty thousand. They attacked our homes, burned our people, and tried to crush our will. They will serve as the catalyst for my evolution. They will pay the price for what they have done."
A low murmur ran around the table. Faces tightened. Some swallowed hard. Hakuro said nothing — he simply watched Atem with a look Atem had never seen before: fear mixed with the absolute certainty that nothing would stop his master now.
Benimaru stepped forward, voice sharp with worry. "But my lord… you alone, against twenty thousand? That's—"
"—enough." Atem lifted a single hand and Benimaru fell quiet. The gesture was casual, but it carried the force of a declaration. Atem's voice dropped to a low, dangerous calm. "Do not mistake my words for pride without reason. This attack was aimed not only at Eterna, but at me — at my pride, at the belief I carry for this city. I will show the world that no one dares to break Eterna and walk away."
Gobta muttered nervously. Gabiru paced a step forward then stopped. Geld's knuckles whitened on the table. The room hummed with a mix of fear and fierce loyalty.
Atem turned to the map pinned on the table. He spoke now as a commander, clear and direct, giving orders like a tactician who knew the land and the enemy's likely moves.
"Souei." He fixed the shadowy fighter with a gaze. "Keep eyes on that army. Report movements every hour. Track their vanguard, flanks, supply lines — I want a live picture. Use all your networks. No blind spots."
Souei bowed once, expression unreadable. "Understood."
"Benimaru," Atem said, turning to him, "you and the rescue teams sweep the ruined districts. Find survivors, gather them, and administer healing. Prioritize children, the old, and the wounded. Move them to secure zones behind the second barrier."
Benimaru swallowed but nodded. "We'll get them out."
"Hakuro," Atem continued, "you command the chokepoints. Fortify the southern ravine and the bridge route. Lay traps: pits disguised with foliage, caltrops, collapsing ledges.
Hakuro's voice was quiet and certain. "I will make every path their enemy."
"Shuna," Atem said. "Set up mobile purification fields and mental wards. Keep the civilians' hearts calm. Coordinate with the medics so moving safety bubbles can be formed—three squads on rotation. If the barrier falters, those bubbles buy time."
Shuna's hands tightened around her beads, determination in her voice. "I will shield them."
Atem turned back to the map, hands resting on the table. His voice softened, but it was still command—every word focused on protection, not sacrifice of his people.
"I have already erected an extra barrier on top of the one left by Falmuth," he said. "The souls in the plaza will not escape. The dome holds. Keep the area sealed. The living must be kept safe inside while I deal with the army. No one is to be sent after me. You are to protect Eterna."
Benimaru stepped forward, face wet with resolve and fear. "We will hold them off and keep everyone safe. We won't lose more."
Atem met his gaze, and for a moment his anger and sorrow showed. "Good. You will not be part of my battle. Your duty is to this city and its people. Do what is needed to keep them alive. When the dust settles, I will return—whatever remains of me will be for Eterna."
A dry silence followed. Then murmurs of agreement circled the room. Some swallowed hard; some clenched their fists. No one questioned the order. They would do as he commanded—defend the living while he drew the storm.
Souei melted back into shadow to fetch intelligence. Benimaru and the rescue teams began to organize evac routes. Hakuro and the fortification squads set trap points. Shuna marshaled healers and mental wards; Geld and the raiding parties prepared for sabotage runs. Gabiru and Gobta vanished to spread confusion among the enemy scouts.
Atem remained a moment longer, staring at the sealed plaza—the place where those lost lay wrapped beneath the barrier. He breathed slowly, the weight of his choice settling like armor on his shoulders.
In the quiet of the war room he thought, plain and cold: (They will be the sacrifice for my ascension.)
He folded his hands, closed his eyes for a heartbeat, and then opened them, steady and absolute. The generals left to carry out their orders. Eterna prepared to shield its people. Atem alone would face the storm.