Chapter 2: Call To Arms

The whole kingdom was in an uproar as everyone speculated and shared rumors about the invasion and the savior. The people of Aestra were filled with new hope at night's stories about the brave black-cloaked hero, who despite having no name or face seemed like a hero who descended from the heavens to save them from the demons.

The King's council was convened, and the leaders of the four provinces gathered together to discuss the situation at hand. The King called for any information held by those present to gain a better understanding of what was happening. One of the Lords from Aestra spoke up about the mysterious hero, claiming to have seen him fighting off the hordes of demons with a blade of powerful and eldritch energy. Upon hearing this, the King's interest was piqued and he called for reports from all provinces.

The gathered leaders reported massive swarms of demons attacking villages, laying waste to them, and fleeing with the same swiftness they had come. The King then declared that they needed to track down this mysterious hero and learn more about who he was and why he was there. He commanded that scouts were to be sent out to search the lands and bring this hero to the court.

The King's command was heard loud and clear and those of the four provinces dispersed to search for this mysterious hero. The days passed, and news of the Black-Cloaked Hero spread throughout Valeria, inspiring hope and courage in the hearts and minds of its people. Little did they know that the hero they all sought was about to appear before them.

A week later, without warning, the mysterious figure materialized in the royal court, sitting calmly on the King's throne. Nobody in the court moved. They all stood there, not sure what to make of this sudden development, until the King finally found his voice.

"Who dares sit on my throne and disturb the peace of court?"

The mysterious figure stood up and revealed himself to be the one they sought.

"I am the one that you seek, King of Valeria. I come to deliver a warning to you and your people. An ancient evil, known as Daemetul, is coming. With him comes an army of demons. If you do not prepare and be ready, the darkness that your Kingdom now finds itself in will be nothing in comparison to what is to come."

The mysterious figure paused briefly to allow everyone time to absorb his words. He then cleared his throat and resumed.

"I'm the only person who can help you defeat Daemetul, but without the kingdom's cooperation, we stand no chance against him and his army of demons...

The court was left in awe and confusion. They had searched the lands for days upon days and yet here was the mysterious hero they had all been searching for, and he was warning of an invasion by a monster popularized in the stories of old.

The King, still in shock, thanked the hero for his warning and asked for further information, but the hero had vanished as silently as he had appeared, leaving behind only a message on a parchment: Fortified the kingdom and gather the twenty best warriors in this kingdom and send them to the Splintered Spire in the coming three days

An hour later, In the large council room, the King of Valeria stood at the center of the round table, as the four leaders of the four provinces of the kingdom were seated. The King spoke with a serious expression, "My lords, I am requesting that each of you present the five best warriors from your provinces in two days at the King's castle. We must make haste; a formidable challenge awaits us in the Splintered Spire in the coming three days. I want the bravest and strongest of your province’s warriors to send them in Splintered Spire. Is there any question?"

The leaders looked at each other for a moment, before finally nodding their heads in agreement. “Very well,” said the King. “We shall send them on that day. I look forward to meeting your best warriors." With that, the King dismissed the four leaders, who quickly made their way out of the council room with a solemn expressions.

The King of Valeria knew that this would be a difficult mission, but he had faith in the people of his kingdom. He only hoped that the warriors of the four provinces would be able to face the challenge that awaited them in the Splintered Spire.

TO BE CONTINUED.

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