Inside the palace, in the technological chamber, General Kaelthorn and Minister Thalorin were both lost in deep thought. A serious crisis confronted them — the Concept Scroll, considered the most important and mysterious artifact of the empire, had gone missing. It was not just an ordinary scroll. It was the black scroll, in which a hidden technique existed that had so far been beyond anyone's understanding. Even the old ancestors had avoided it, fearing its immense and destructive power. But now, this mysterious scroll had fallen into Riyan's hands. He had decided to keep it with himself while planning to hand over the Red Scroll to the black-clad man who had entrusted him with this assignment.
Meanwhile, Minister Thalorin and General Kaelthorn informed Queen Elara of the situation. "The empire's most important scroll has gone missing," they said gravely. Hearing this, Queen Elara's eyes widened. "How is this possible? Only the Red Scroll was kept there!" She immediately ordered that this incident must not be revealed to anyone outside.
Riyan opened the black scroll and, suddenly, a bright light engulfed him as he stepped inside. Before him, a mysterious staircase appeared, and a resonating voice said, "Ascend." As he climbed up, he reached a vast platform, where an elderly figure, appearing almost like a spirit, stood before him. Riyan was slightly nervous, but the figure said, "Do not be afraid, child. I will teach you."
Riyan replied, "I am following you, sir. Please tell me."
He then explained to Riyan the three mysterious levels of the technique.
The first level was Hand Control, in which hands could be created using spiritual energy. The second level involved the Combination of Two Hands, fully dependent on one's spiritual power. The third level was Soul Form, allowing the creation of a massive and powerful soul. Hearing this, Riyan realized that the scroll could grant him a power that could elevate him beyond any height he had ever achieved.
Meanwhile, the situation in the palace grew even more tense. It was the first time such an important scroll had gone missing. Anxiety pervaded the atmosphere, and Queen Elara herself was deeply distressed. She had never imagined that someone so young and clever could outwit them in such a way.
Elara's eyes burned with fire, and her voice carried the strength of steel.
She stood tall and declared —
"I will avenge my father… and reclaim the royal legacy that was stolen from us.
No matter what I must do — I will not back down."
Minister Thalorin spoke in a worried tone,
"Your Majesty, you are still very young… taking such risks at this age—"
Elara's eyes suddenly turned toward him.
There was such fury in them that the minister's words froze mid-sentence.
He immediately bowed and said in a trembling voice,
"I didn't mean it that way, Your Majesty.
I only fear that… we have no heir to the throne,
and the place you are planning to go — the Dark World… it is an extremely dangerous realm."
Elara said firmly,
"This is my command."
General Kaelthorn stepped forward cautiously and said,
"Your Majesty, forgive me… but please reconsider.
The former King too was injured because of it.
He was a great spiritual master, and yet the Dark World did not spare him."
Elara listened to him, then replied in a calm yet resolute voice —
"I understand your concern, General.
But we cannot sit here like cowards.
This time, we will make the move."
For a few moments, silence filled the grand hall.
Then the minister took a deep breath and lowered his head.
"As you command, Your Majesty,"
he said — his voice trembling with both fear and submission.
Elara raised one hand slowly and spoke in a firm voice, "I swear by my ancestors—"
With her other hand she drew a dagger. In the silence of the room the faint ring of the blade was heard. Then, without hesitation, she slit the palm of the hand she had raised.
A thin trickle of blood began to drip from her hand—the silence in the room deepened further. The minister and the general watched silently, a mixture of fear and reverence on their faces. Shadows of warning and apprehension were clearly visible upon them.
There was fearlessness in Elara's eyes; her voice had a harsh steadiness that signaled an unbreakable resolve—
"No matter how far I must go, I will do this—for my empire, my father, and my ancestors."
"I will take revenge; I will wipe out whatever lies behind that Dark World."
Each drop of blood seemed to deepen the gravity of that moment. That night—that instant—was no ordinary night; it was a turning point. Elara, calm like the wounded yet filled with fire, rose as a lioness ready to hunt..