After escaping the ghost army, the brothers returned to the center of the village. But what they saw was… diabolical.
In the village square stood a tower, grotesque and horrifying, constructed entirely from the villagers' corpses. Slowly, the tower shifted, reshaping into a throne. A massive ghost with a crown descended and seated itself atop it.
Eric's eyes widened in horror as he spotted his parents among the piles of corpses. He sank to his knees, despair overwhelming him.
Lucas acted instantly, catching Eric before he fell completely and pulling him close. His glare fixed on the Ghoul King.
"You…!" Lucas cursed through gritted teeth.
The ghost opened its mouth, voice echoing like death itself.
"Mortal. I have descended to this land to claim it for my invasion. For some reason, this village is ours — no Exorcist Energy present."
"Exorcist Energy…?" Lucas whispered, confusion furrowing his brow.
"Hmph. Just as I expected. Be grateful, mortals! I, the Ghoul King, have appeared before you to grant you salvation!"
As he spoke, the souls of the villagers awoke, rising as ghostly soldiers.
"Elite Ghosts! See? This form is far superior, yes? Now follow my orders and capture them!"
The horde surged forward. Lucas lifted Eric to safety, dodging the first wave of attacks.
The Ghoul King smiled, amused.
"Ah, I see. You still stand and entertain me. But it seems this burden holds you back."
Lucas gritted his teeth, biting his lip.
"You called who?!"
He plunged forward, sword raised, swinging hard at the Ghoul King — but his strike slammed against a shimmering, impenetrable barrier.
"Useless! Only a high-ranking Exorcist can break this barrier," the Ghoul King mocked. "HAHA!"
"You piece of—!!" Lucas pushed forward with all his strength. To his surprise, a small crack appeared in the barrier.
The Ghoul King's eyes narrowed.
"What?! How…? Wait… this energy… don't tell me… you have 'his' blood?!"
"Huh? What do you mean—"
Before Lucas could respond, the barrier's force slammed him back, throwing him to the same spot he had just attacked from.
"This can't be! His bloodline should have been wiped out! Don't tell me… one escaped?!"
The Ghoul King's eyes fixed on Lucas.
"You…? Who are you?!"
Lucas took a deep breath.
"I am Lucas. Lucas Hayden! I grew up in this unnamed village — and this name was given to me by the people you slaughtered!"
"Lucas… I see. So you haven't awakened yet. No… you have not! HAHA, my luck is always on my side! LUCAS!"
The Ghoul King lunged toward him.
Instinctively, Lucas closed his eyes. A golden light appeared out of thin air, forming a protective barrier around him and Eric. Slowly, he opened his eyes and saw a paper floating before him.
"A Golden Talisman?! No way… am I too late to link this town?!"
The Ghoul King recoiled, his eyes widening in fear. Before he could react, another rift tore open, and several figures in black cloaks descended.
"Exorcists?! How did you know I was here?! I should have suppressed my ghost energy!" the Ghoul King bellowed.
"Stop right there, Ghoul King! You dare invade this land again?!" one of the Exorcists shouted, drawing another golden talisman.
The others did the same. Golden rays of energy surrounded the Ghoul King, shrinking him steadily.
"No! I'm not done manifesting yet! Curse you, mortals! ARGH!!"
The Ghoul King screamed, then vanished, leaving only the shattered echo of his fury.
After the battle, the Exorcists quickly cleansed the remaining ghosts. One woman approached Lucas and Eric, using her talisman to heal their minor injuries.
"Sorry, Lucas… we arrived a bit late. If we had come sooner, we could have saved this village," she said softly.
Lucas shook his head, keeping his voice steady despite the exhaustion clawing at him.
"No… it's okay. I heard the King suppressed his energy. I… I understand you were at a disadvantage."
"Thank you for understanding, Lucas," the woman said, giving a small nod before walking away.
Eric mumbled, confused.
"Apologies…?"
"Eric? What are you—" Lucas began, but before he could finish, Eric stood abruptly. His whole body trembled, and then a terrifying, enraged light filled his eyes.
"APOLOGIES?! WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE?! WHAT ARE THOSE THINGS?! YOU ARRIVE LATE AND EXPECT US TO FORGIVE YOU?!" Eric's voice thundered, deeper and darker than before.
Lucas froze. He had never seen his brother like this. But it wasn't just anger — it was something else. Something inhuman.
"Yes… Eric," a familiar voice hissed through the air, echoing from every corner of the village.
"Become furious! Seek revenge! Slay those Exorcists, and avenge your village!"
"ERIC!" Lucas shouted, heart pounding.
He staggered back, leaning against a broken wall. His arms ached, his lungs burned, and the adrenaline that had carried him through the battle was fading fast. The sight of his brother, eyes black as night and voice twisted into something unrecognizable… Lucas felt his chest tighten.
"No… no, this can't be…" he whispered. "I… I have to stop him…"
Before he could act, the possessed Eric exploded forward with a supernatural force, becoming a vessel of the Ghoul King's influence.
"HAHAHA!" the voice of the Ghoul King echoed through the village, seeping into the ground and walls alike.
"Thank you for your heart, Eric!"
The Ghoul King's form began to solidify, his crown of flame blazing brighter than ever. He had been weakened, surprised by the Exorcists' talismans… but now, with Eric as his vessel, he was returning — stronger, more dangerous, and more terrifying than before.
Lucas gritted his teeth, gripping his sword. Pain and fear clawed at him, but he couldn't fall now.
"Not… not this time," he whispered, eyes locking onto his brother. "I'll save you, Eric… no matter what."
The air thickened. The Ghoul King's laughter tore through the silence, a sound that promised death and chaos. The battle — far from over — had just taken a far darker turn.
Another battle erupted, but this time the odds were all wrong.
One by one, the Exorcists fell under Eric's brutal attacks. Lucas, already exhausted, couldn't rise. He lay there, watching helplessly as they were struck down.
He shouted Eric's name in his mind over and over.
"Please… stop this! Eric!"
The words finally caught the possessed brother's attention. Eric floated toward him, eyes black, a cruel smile curling his lips.
"Ah… Lucas. We meet again. Thank you for your brother — such an easy backdoor to claim his heart. I could possess him. You know, I've read his memories… he loves you dearly. And he blames himself for you leaving."
"He… blames himself? No! I chose to leave. Not him!" Lucas's voice trembled.
"But… he never knew that. You two never talked it out."
Eric's grin widened as he hovered closer. "As a reward… I'll give you your brother. His soul. A perfect gift, wouldn't you say? HAHAHA."
He pressed his palm to his chest. A bubble of pure soul energy appeared, drifting toward Lucas.
"Here… happy birthday, Lucas."
Lucas froze. "My birthday… he… remembers?"
"Always. Always waiting for you, big brother."
Night was nearly upon them. Eric's blackened eyes gleamed. "Time's up. Welcome… to the Night of Ghoul, Lucas."
With a cruel laugh, he floated into the rift. Sunrise broke across the horizon. Lucas clutched Eric's soul, the weight of the moment crushing him. He broke down, screaming:
"ERIC!!"