Leaving the library, Faraam walked the destroyed streets of the dark city.
Remembering the fiasco, he sighed.
'I wonder what the origin of the All-Consuming Darkness curse is.'
The fiasco unfortunately had only started telling what happened after the Forgotten Shore was cursed.
Faraam was sure that it had something to do with humans...
'Well, it's always the humans.' He shook his head in disappointment.
He had some theories, like pissing off Sun God, that he took the light from them, or maybe it has something to do with the Storm Goddess, as she is the goddess of darkness, or maybe even it has something to do with the underworld. Who knows?
'This is going nowhere. I need to focus.'
Because today is the day he will kill Marcus and the real start of his plan...
Chuckling, Faraam walked to the place where he will meet Marcus.
Those inside the city didn't know... that a storm will come that will change everything.
Blood will be spilled.
***
Marcus looked at the ginormous building in the distance nervously.
Built like a giant oval ring, its towering arches are stacked in layers that circle endlessly. Time has scarred its walls, leaving cracks and missing pieces, yet its size and shape still command awe.
The Colosseum.
'Why did he ask to meet here of all places? This kid will be my demise!'
There was a reason no one came near the Colosseum. It was like a closed society where only one group lives... but this time it's nightmare creatures who live in the sad society.
These nightmare creatures kill each other and eat their species, making themselves stronger, but at the cost of their numbers.
That is why no one entered the Colosseum. They wanted for the nightmare creatures to kill each other until they all died.
Suddenly, Marcus heard footsteps from behind. There, a man wearing dark armor was walking toward him.
His eyes opened wide, as for the first time the man didn't wear his famous faceless helmet.
His face was visible to the world.
With long black hair flowing on his back and dark sharp eyes that reflected the light. His thin lips formed a smile, and his nose was sharp and narrow. His skin was a little pale but healthy.
Faraam waved his hand, and Marcus did the same.
"It's been a while, Marcus."
Marcus nodded his head and spoke, "Indeed..." He stopped for a second, then continued, "What happened with you?"
"Ah, I felt suffocated with the helmet... I also don't mind showing my face if it's you."
"You should start showing your face... a lot of girls will be interested in you."
Marcus looked at Faraam's face again...
'And maybe even men...' but he didn't say it out loud.
Faraam laughed at Marcus's words.
"I might do that."
Marcus nodded his head and asked, "Anyway, why have you asked me to come here?"
"Right..." Faraam stopped for a few seconds, scratching his head, then sighed, "Someone came with a huge job. I can't say much, but from what I heard, it is extremely dangerous, and I thought that maybe someone like you could help. As you're the best pathfinder I know."
Marcus stayed silent for a while; he glanced at Faraam's face, which clearly looked like someone who was caught in a shit far beyond what he could handle.
"I'm sorry... I can't help you."
At first there was no response, but then Faraam spoke, and what he said made Marcus's heart beat faster.
"Is it because of the Second Lord...?"
"W-What do you mean?"
"Well, I heard the rumors. The one about the promise you made with him of how you will live in his place."
Marcus sighed in relief.
"Yes... as you most likely know, I was a friend of the Second Lord before we were summoned here... we were always together, but there was a time when I was not with him. The Second Lord asked me to stay here and live for him when he went to besiege the Crimson Spire."
"As a subject of his, I followed his order... till this day I regret not dying with him."
Faraam stayed silent for a moment, then asked, "Can you tell me more about the Second Lord?"
Marcus smiled. "If you want, I must start from the beginning."
Faraam nodded his head.
"When the First Lord killed the spire messenger, he started gathering the survivors here. After a few years, he went on a journey with his cohort to find a way to leave the Forgotten Shore, but before he did, he appointed a lord in his place."
"The Second Lord," Faraam said.
Marcus nodded his head.
"The Second Lord was the one who created the current Bright Castle you live in. From economy to laws, he was the one who made it. The Second Lord was a great leader; he wasn't as strong as the first, but his charisma was far above him.
After years of ruling the dark city, the Second Lord chose to besiege the Crimson Spire..."
"That is stupid. Why would he sacrifice his life and the lives of others for nothing?"
Marcus smiled and shook his head.
"It's not for nothing. It's a sacrifice for the future. The Second Lord and his followers chose to sacrifice their lives to find a way to enter the Crimson Spire... and they did. Two weeks after they went for the Crimson Spire, one of them returned. She was on the brink of death, but she fulfilled her duty. She delivered the message."
[Seven heads, Seven seals. The bloody spire is sealed. Only when the seven keys gather shall the door of the Crimson Spire open, bringing with it the light of salvation.]
"That is the only lead we have..."
Faraam sighed and spoke, "I see. The Second Lord was a great man."
Marcus nodded his head in silence.
"I will be going now... I might not be able to return."
Marcus patted his shoulder.
"You will be fine."
Smiling, Faraam went closer and hugged Marcus.
Surprised by this, Marcus could do nothing but hug back.
"You were a great teacher."
From behind Marcus's back a dagger started materializing in Faraam's hand. Then with a quick move he pulled his hand back and stabbed Marcus's stomach.
***