Midnight arrived. The town of Oakhaven was shrouded in thick fog, a perfect cover for underground dealings. Under the old town bridge, where the water flowed with the whispers of the wind, hooded figures gathered. This was the Black Market. Here, silver was more powerful than prayer, and the laws of the Union of Light meant nothing.
Valerius, still wearing his black cloak, walked silently. On his shoulder perched the raven Malphas. Valerius sensed the tension around him; every adventurer and thief in this place was armed.
"Do you feel it, Lord?" Malphas whispered into Valerius' mind. "The aura of the Ring of Despair. It's close."
They stopped before a large table guarded by two giant orcs in steel armor. On the table, inside a crystal box, lay a ring. Its gem was as black as the depths of the sea, seeming to absorb the light of the surrounding torches.
A man with a thin mustache and slick speech approached. He was Silas, Oakhaven's notorious smuggler.
"A rare piece, isn't it?" Silas grinned. "Said to be retrieved from the ruins of Infernum. Starting price is fifty gold coins."
There was murmuring around. Fifty gold was enough to buy a small house. Valerius, with only a few silver coins from Kael, remained calm.
"I have no gold," Valerius said coldly.
The people around laughed. The orcs stepped forward, ready to throw out the "beggar."
"But I have something more valuable," Valerius continued.
He raised his hand and a small blue fireball appeared in his palm. It wasn't ordinary fire; it was Soul Fire, an art long forgotten by the world.
Silas froze. His greed turned to curiosity.
"Ancient magic... Who are you really?"
"A man who owned that ring before your ancestors were born," Valerius replied.
Before Silas could respond, a loud explosion shook the bridge.
"IN THE NAME OF THE UNION OF LIGHT, SURRENDER!"
From above the bridge, Knights descended, led by Seraphina. Their armor glowed with holy light, blinding those in the Black Market.
Chaos erupted. Criminals drew weapons, and a bloody fight began.
"The Inquisitor!" Silas shouted, trying to hide the ring.
But Valerius wouldn't let his property escape. Using his Shadow Step, he vanished and reappeared before Silas. He snatched the crystal box and crushed it with his bare hand in one swift motion.
Valerius put on the Ring of Despair. Instantly, a surge of dark energy burst from his body. His power, previously at 1%, jumped to 5%.
He felt power coursing through his veins.
"You are too late, demon!" Seraphina shouted, swinging her Holy Sword at Valerius.
This time, Valerius didn't run. He raised his ringed hand. A wall of shadows blocked the Inquisitor's attack. The clash of holy light and dark shadow created a shockwave that knocked down those nearby.
"Your light is dazzling, Knight," Valerius said, his voice echoing like from a grave. "But shadows don't disappear... they only deepen with light."
Seraphina was shocked to see her opponent unfazed.
"Who are you? You're no ordinary Dark Mage."
Valerius looked around. The Black Market was burning, soldiers were fighting criminals, and the night was filled with screams. This was the chaos he needed.
"Remember this name, Inquisitor," Valerius said as shadows began to swallow him. "It's the last name you'll hear before your church falls. I am Valerius von Infernum."
In a blink, Valerius vanished with Malphas, leaving a stunned Seraphina in the midst of the burning bridge.
Far from the town, on a hilltop, Valerius examined the ring on his finger.
"One down. Many more to find, Malphas."
"Where next, Lord?" the raven asked.
"To the Hero's Sanctuary," Valerius replied, looking into the distance. "It's time to free my generals."